September 15

Birth Flower

Japanese Aster
Aster yomena Symphyotrichum yomena

Scientific Name: Aster yomena
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • hidden beauty
  • woman's affection
  • obedience

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Yomena is a perennial herb that grows in colonies along roadsides, field edges, and embankments. In autumn (July-October), it produces light purple flower heads about 3cm in diameter at the tips of branched stems. Known as 'uhagi' since ancient times in the Manyoshu poetry collection, it has been beloved by Japanese people. The young shoots in spring are edible and have a characteristic chrysanthemum family flavor.

Trivia

  • Featured in Manyoshu poetry: 'Smoke rises in Kasuga fields, maidens seem to be cooking picked uhagi'
  • The name 'yomena' (bride vegetable) comes from its beautiful, gentle flowers reminiscent of a bride
  • Has various regional names including ugi, ohagi, and yomenosaito
  • Though commonly seen roadside wildflower, it's actually a historic flower beloved by Japanese since ancient times

Uses

Ornamental
  • Natural-style garden plantings for rustic charm
  • Cut flowers as autumn wildflowers
  • Mass planting in naturalistic gardens
Medicinal
  • Folk medicine for fever reduction
  • Believed to have anti-inflammatory effects

Caution: Medicinal use should be consulted with healthcare professionals

Culinary
  • Young spring shoots
  • Young leaves
Other
  • Nectar source for butterflies and insects in ecosystems
  • Plant with soil conservation benefits

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic and safe for consumption

Tiger Lily
Orange Tiger Lily Lilium lancifolium

Scientific Name: Lilium lancifolium
Family: Liliaceae

Flower Language

  • accumulation of wealth
  • wealth and pride
  • splendor
  • cheerfulness
  • sage

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Tiger Lily is a member of the lily family that grows 100-200cm tall, blooming orange flowers from July to August. The petals curve backward with black spots on the inner surface, and the reddish-brown pollen is difficult to remove from clothing. Bulbils (mukago) form at the base of leaves on the stem for reproduction. The bulbs are used as food and medicine called 'yurine'.

Trivia

  • Named 'oni-yuri' (demon lily) for its large, wild appearance
  • Characteristic of reproducing by bulbils without producing seeds
  • Distinguished from Lilium leichtlinii by producing bulbils
  • Produces abundant pollen, commonly arranged in vases after removing stamens

Uses

Ornamental
  • Ornamental garden planting for summer to autumn display
  • Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
  • Rustic accent in naturalistic gardens
Medicinal
  • Traditional Chinese medicine 'byakugou' for cough suppression
  • Believed to have tonic and strengthening effects
  • Sedative and calming properties

Caution: Medicinal use should be consulted with traditional Chinese medicine practitioners

Culinary
  • Bulbs (lily bulbs, yurine)
Other
  • Horticultural use through bulbil propagation
  • Pollen can be used as natural dye

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Stems, Flowers

Symptoms: Parts other than bulbs are not suitable for consumption. Large amounts may cause digestive symptoms

Evergreen Magnolia Vine
Japanese Magnolia Vine Binan Vine

Scientific Name: Kadsura japonica
Family: Schisandraceae

Flower Language

  • reunion
  • seizing opportunity

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Sanekazura is an evergreen woody vine native to Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, blooming yellowish-white flowers about 1.5cm in diameter from August to September. It's dioecious, producing beautiful spherical clusters of red drupes in autumn. Historically, the mucilage from stems and leaves was used as hair pomade, earning it the name 'binan-kazura' (handsome man vine).

Trivia

  • Named 'binan-kazura' (handsome man vine) from samurai using it as hair pomade
  • Historic plant appearing in Fujiwara no Sadakata's poem (#25) in Hyakunin Isshu
  • Berries are non-toxic but have distinctive taste unsuitable for eating
  • Still valued in gardens as one of few evergreen climbing plants

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden fencing and trellis greening
  • Ornamental use for autumn red berries
  • Utilization as evergreen climbing plant
Medicinal
  • Traditional Chinese medicine 'nan wu wei zi' for tonic effects
  • Believed to have cough suppressant properties
  • Said to possess five tastes (sweet, sour, pungent, bitter, salty) medicinally

Caution: Medicinal use requires consultation with traditional medicine practitioners

Culinary

Berries look appetizing but have astringent, bitter, and harsh tastes, not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Historical use as hair pomade ingredient
  • Utilization of mucilage from stems and leaves
  • Research subject for natural hair products in modern times

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic but berries should be avoided due to unpalatable taste

Dahlia
Red Dahlia Georgina

Scientific Name: Dahlia spp.
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • splendor
  • glory
  • elegance
  • dignity

Characteristics

Colors: red

Description

Dahlia is a general term for perennial plants of the genus Dahlia in the Asteraceae family, native to the highlands from Mexico to Guatemala. Plant height varies from 1-5m depending on variety. Peak blooming is from July to October, with diverse flower colors including red, white, pink, yellow, orange, and multicolored. Red dahlias are particularly splendid and striking, with various flower forms like semi-cactus, formal decorative, and ball types. Breeding continues actively with new varieties created annually.

Trivia

  • Named after 18th century Swedish botanist Anders Dahl
  • Japanese name 'tenjiku-botan' means peony-like flower from foreign lands
  • One of plants with most diverse flower forms, about 30,000 varieties exist
  • Used as food in Mexico, tubers served as potato substitutes

Uses

Ornamental
  • Main flower material for summer to autumn gardens
  • Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
  • Potted ornamental cultivation
  • Large background plants in flower beds
Medicinal
  • Roots sometimes used in folk medicine
  • Some research suggests anti-inflammatory properties

Caution: Medicinal use requires professional consultation

Culinary
  • Petals
  • Tubers (some varieties)
Other
  • Use in horticultural therapy
  • Petals as natural dye
  • Breeding competition varieties

Toxicity

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