September 18

Birth Flower

Salvia
Sage Scarlet Sage

Scientific Name: Salvia splendens
Family: Lamiaceae

Flower Language

  • respect
  • family love
  • burning passion

Characteristics

Colors: purple

Description

Salvia is a flowering plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to Brazil. The name derives from the Latin 'salvare' meaning 'to heal' or 'to save', reflecting its relationship to sage plants which have been valued for their medicinal properties. It produces vibrant flowers in colors including red, purple, white, and pink, blooming from summer through autumn. Widely cultivated in flower beds and containers, red salvia is particularly popular as a garden staple.

Trivia

  • Sage and salvia are plants of the same genus, with the English name 'sage' derived from the Latin 'salvia'
  • Red salvia has been a staple in Japanese school gardens since the Meiji period
  • The Salvia genus includes over 900 species of plants
  • Ancient Romans had a saying: 'Why should a man die whilst sage grows in his garden?'

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden beds
  • Container planting
  • Cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Antibacterial properties
  • Digestive aid
  • Antiperspirant effect

Caution: Avoid excessive consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Culinary

Ornamental salvia is not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Used in perfumery
  • Nectar source for beekeeping

Toxicity

Symptoms: Ornamental salvia is generally non-toxic

Garden Balsam
Touch-me-not Rose Balsam Spotted Snapweed

Scientific Name: Impatiens balsamina
Family: Balsaminaceae

Flower Language

  • don't touch me
  • impatience
  • hasty

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Garden Balsam is an annual plant in the Balsaminaceae family native to Southeast Asia. It blooms from June to September with flowers in red, purple, pink, and white. Its most distinctive feature is that ripe seed pods explode when touched, scattering seeds forcefully - this behavior inspired the flower language 'don't touch me'. Introduced to Japan during the Muromachi period, it has long been beloved by children. It's also known for its use in nail dyeing, called 'tsumabeni' (nail rouge).

Trivia

  • The English name 'Touch-me-not' comes from its seed-popping characteristic
  • Women in the Edo period enjoyed dyeing their nails red with flower juice
  • The seed-popping mechanism is one of plant seed dispersal strategies
  • The scientific name Impatiens means 'impatient', referring to the explosive seed pods

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden beds
  • Container planting
  • Educational plant for children
Medicinal
  • Antibacterial properties
  • Anti-inflammatory effects
  • Treatment of skin conditions

Caution: Consult specialists when using as folk medicine

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Nail dyeing (nail rouge)
  • Educational seed observation

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: whole plant

Symptoms: Mild gastrointestinal upset possible with large consumption

Gentian
Autumn Gentian Japanese Gentian

Scientific Name: Gentiana scabra
Family: Gentianaceae

Flower Language

  • chastity
  • purity
  • accuracy

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

Gentian is a perennial plant in the Gentianaceae family distributed across Japan, Asia, and Europe. White gentians are particularly cherished as symbols of purity and chastity. They bloom from August to October and have the habit of closing their flowers on rainy or cloudy days. This accurate weather prediction inspired the flower language meaning 'accuracy'. Long used as a medicinal plant, the roots are valued as a stomach tonic. It's also popular as a flower for Respect for the Aged Day.

Trivia

  • The Genji family crest 'sasarindo' combines gentian and bamboo grass designs
  • Widely used as stomach medicine since the Edo period
  • Called 'weather flower' for its weather-predicting opening and closing behavior
  • Established as a Respect for the Aged Day flower since 1966

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Container planting
  • Garden planting
Medicinal
  • Stomach tonic
  • Digestive aid
  • Appetite stimulant

Caution: Avoid use during pregnancy

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use (roots for medicinal use only)

Other
  • Used as herbal medicine (Gentian root)
  • Family crest design

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally non-toxic (follow appropriate dosage for medicinal use)

Thistle
Japanese Thistle Wild Thistle

Scientific Name: Cirsium japonicum
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • independence
  • strictness
  • don't touch

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Thistle is a perennial plant in the Asteraceae family widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including Japan. Characterized by sharp thorns covering stems and leaves, it produces beautiful purple or pink flowers. In Scotland, it became the national flower due to a 13th-century legend where it helped repel Danish invaders, inspiring the flower language meaning 'independence'. In Japan, it has long been used as medicinal herb, with roots known for stomach tonic and detoxifying properties. Growing wild in mountains and fields, it beautifully colors autumn landscapes.

Trivia

  • Scotland's national motto includes 'Who dares meddle with me' referring to thistle thorns
  • In Japan, beloved as a candidate for 'Seven Autumn Flowers' similar to spring's seven herbs
  • Species can be identified by the shape of involucral bracts below flowers
  • One of the important nectar sources for butterflies and bees

Uses

Ornamental
  • Wildflower observation
  • Dried flowers
  • Natural gardens
Medicinal
  • Stomach tonic
  • Detoxifying effect
  • Diuretic properties

Caution: Beware of injury from thorns

Culinary
  • young leaves
  • roots
Other
  • Use as herbal medicine
  • Nectar source plant

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally non-toxic (only beware of thorn injuries)

Frost Aster
Peacock Aster Many-flowered Aster

Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum ericoides
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • always cheerful
  • love at first sight
  • loveliness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Frost Aster is a perennial in the Asteraceae family native to North America. Its long stems branch extensively and produce countless small white or pink flowers, resembling a peacock with spread feathers, hence the name. It blooms from mid-August to mid-October and is popular as a cut flower. This garden variety was introduced to Japan after World War II and is hardy and easy to grow, beautifully coloring autumn flower beds. Hybridization with other asters has produced purple and pink flower colors.

Trivia

  • Originally only white flowers, but breeding has produced multiple colors
  • A single plant can produce hundreds to thousands of small flowers
  • Good keeping quality as cut flower, valued in floral arrangements
  • The species name 'ericoides' means 'resembling Erica'

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Garden beds
  • Container planting
Medicinal
  • No known medicinal properties

Caution: No particular cautions

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Used as nectar source plant
  • Autumn landscape plant

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally non-toxic