September 09

Birth Flower

Begonia
Wax Begonia Bedding Begonia

Scientific Name: Begonia semperflorens
Family: Begoniaceae

Flower Language

  • kindness
  • confession of love
  • happy days
  • unrequited love

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

Begonia is a perennial plant in the genus Begonia of the Begoniaceae family, native to Brazil in South America. It is a very diverse flower with over 2000 native species and several times that number of hybrid varieties. Characterized by heart-shaped buds and leaves, it blooms for a long period from May to November. As it can grow in partial shade, it is popular as an easy-to-cultivate plant in gardens, balconies, and entrances. The flower colors are diverse, including red, purple, white, pink, yellow, and orange, making it popular among gardening enthusiasts.

Trivia

  • Begonia leaves are asymmetrical in some varieties, which is said to be the origin of the flower language meaning 'unrequited love'
  • Named after French botanist Michel Begon's plant specimens collected during his time as governor of Haiti
  • One of the world's largest plant genera with over 2000 confirmed native species
  • Some varieties are bulbous and have the characteristic of dormancy in winter

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used as cut flowers in bouquets and arrangements
  • Garden planting for flower beds and borders
  • Potted plants for indoor and balcony decoration
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used in folk medicine for wound treatment
  • Considered to have fever-reducing properties in some regions

Caution: Medical evidence is limited, consultation with experts is recommended before use

Culinary
  • petals
  • young leaves
Other
  • Partially used as fragrance
  • Sometimes utilized as natural dye

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: leaves, stems

Symptoms: May cause mild gastrointestinal upset when consumed in large quantities

Chrysanthemum
Mum Japanese Chrysanthemum

Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum morifolium
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • nobility
  • purity
  • trust
  • truth
  • longevity and happiness
  • I love you

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Chrysanthemum is a perennial plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the Asteraceae family, native to China. It was introduced to Japan during the Nara period as a medicinal and ornamental plant. It was particularly favored among nobles during the Heian period, and the Double Ninth Festival (Chōyō no Sekku) on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month is also called the 'Chrysanthemum Festival.' During the Kamakura period, it was designated as the imperial emblem by Emperor Go-Toba and continues to be beloved as a symbolic flower of Japan. Growing 30cm to 1m tall, it has beautiful flowers with densely packed oval petals, reaching its peak bloom from September to November. Currently, there are over 200 horticultural varieties with diverse colors and forms, continuing to be loved as a representative flower of Japanese autumn.

Trivia

  • The chrysanthemum flower is designed on the Japanese 50 yen coin
  • Chrysanthemum dolls are a unique Japanese horticultural art that has continued since the Edo period
  • Large chrysanthemums can reach flower diameters of 30 centimeters, considered the pinnacle of horticultural technique
  • During the Double Ninth Festival, there was a custom called 'chrysanthemum cotton covering' where cotton was placed over chrysanthemums to collect morning dew for wiping the skin

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used as cut flowers for Buddhist altars and decoration
  • Garden planting to color autumn flower beds
  • Potted plants for indoor decoration and gifts
Medicinal
  • Considered to have fever-reducing and anti-inflammatory effects in traditional Chinese medicine
  • Used as chrysanthemum tea to improve eye fatigue
  • Used as an ingredient in traditional herbal medicine

Caution: Medical use is recommended under the guidance of specialists

Culinary
  • petals
  • young leaves
Other
  • Used as natural insect repellent
  • Yellow pigment extracted for use as dye

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally considered non-toxic, but excessive consumption should be avoided

Kangaroo Paw
Anigozanthos Australian Sword Lily

Scientific Name: Anigozanthos flavidus
Family: Haemodoraceae

Flower Language

  • surprise
  • cheerfulness
  • wonder
  • discretion

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Kangaroo Paw is a perennial plant of the genus Anigozanthos in the Haemodoraceae family, native to southwestern Australia. The scientific name Anigozanthos derives from the Greek words 'anoigo (to open) + anthos (flower)'. It gets its name from its distinctive flowers that resemble kangaroo paws, which bloom once a year. The flowers and stems are densely covered with fine hairs, are tubular and elongated, with tips split into six parts. The flowers cluster in spike-like arrangements and open in a distinctive sideways manner. The leaves are sword-shaped like iris, and the entire plant being covered with hair is also one of its characteristics. Currently distributed worldwide as cut flowers, cultivation in Japan is limited, with most cut flowers being imported.

Trivia

  • Designated as the state flower of Western Australia
  • Named for its flowers resembling kangaroo front paws
  • There are 11 species in the genus Anigozanthos
  • Was relatively widely cultivated in Japan until around 2000, but now depends on imports

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used as cut flowers in bouquets and arrangements
  • Suitable for long-term preservation as dried flowers
  • Greenhouse cultivation in pots
Medicinal
  • Partially used in traditional Aboriginal medicine

Caution: Effects in modern medicine are not proven

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Utilized as eco-tourism resources
  • Used as educational materials in horticulture

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported

Golden Lace
Patrinia Yellow Patrinia

Scientific Name: Patrinia scabiosifolia
Family: Caprifoliaceae

Flower Language

  • fleeting love
  • kindness
  • beautiful woman

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Patrinia is a deciduous perennial plant of the genus Patrinia in the Caprifoliaceae family, long beloved as one of the seven autumn grasses. It is native to areas from Siberia to East Asia, particularly throughout Japan, China, and the Korean Peninsula. Growing to a height of 1-1.5m, it produces numerous small yellow flowers from June to September. It forms clumps by extending several stems straight up, creating flower clusters of about 15-20cm at the tips. The beautiful flower form swaying in the autumn wind, reminiscent of delicate and melancholy women, gave rise to the flower language meanings of 'beautiful woman' and 'fleeting love.' The dried roots, when decocted, are sometimes used as the herbal medicine 'haisho.'

Trivia

  • Patrinia is mentioned in 26 poems in the Man'yōshū and 14 poems in the Kokin Wakashū
  • The name 'ominaeshi' (女郎花) derives from 'jorō' meaning beautiful woman
  • Has the characteristic of spreading through short underground rhizomes
  • The only plant among the seven autumn grasses that produces yellow flowers

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used as cut flowers for autumn floral materials
  • Garden planting for natural-style landscaping
  • Used as flowers in tea ceremony to express seasonal feelings
Medicinal
  • Dried roots used as herbal medicine called 'haisho'
  • Considered to have detoxifying and anti-inflammatory effects
  • Sometimes used for gynecological disorders

Caution: Medicinal use should be conducted under expert guidance

Culinary
  • young leaves
  • new shoots
Other
  • Used as herbal medicine
  • Important as nectar source plant for insects

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported