September 28

Birth Flower

Gentian
Japanese Gentian Autumn Gentian

Scientific Name: Gentiana scabra var. buergeri
Family: Gentianaceae

Flower Language

  • Justice
  • Victory
  • Sincerity
  • I love you in your sorrow

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Gentian is a perennial plant distributed in Japan, Siberia, China, and the Korean Peninsula. It is a representative flower that colors the autumn mountains and fields, blooming beautiful trumpet-shaped blue-purple flowers. The flowers open on sunny days and close on cloudy days or in the evening. The root has been used as a herbal medicine called 'ryutan' since ancient times, and was named for its intense bitterness, meaning 'as bitter as a dragon's gallbladder.' It is also popular as a garden plant and is beloved as a gift flower for Respect for the Aged Day.

Trivia

  • The name 'gentian' comes from King Gentius, who discovered its medicinal properties.
  • The flowers only open on sunny days and close on cloudy or rainy days and in the evening.
  • It is beloved as a flower wishing for longevity, especially on Respect for the Aged Day.
  • There are about 400 species, with 18 species native to Japan.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used as cut flowers in autumn flower arrangements
  • Cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens and pots
  • Popular as gift flowers for Respect for the Aged Day
Medicinal
  • Used as a bitter stomachic for indigestion and loss of appetite
  • Improvement of digestive disorders
  • Promotion of pancreatic juice and bile secretion

Caution: Caution is needed as large amounts may cause digestive disorders.

Culinary

Not used for culinary purposes.

Other
  • Used as raw material for herbal medicines
  • Cultivated as horticultural plants

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Root (part used as herbal medicine)

Symptoms: Large amounts may cause digestive disorders. Characterized by intense bitterness.

Blue spirea
Bluebeard Caryopteris

Scientific Name: Caryopteris incana
Family: Lamiaceae

Flower Language

  • Unforgettable memories
  • Worries

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Dangiku is a perennial herb distributed in Japan, the Korean Peninsula, China, and Taiwan. It gets its name from the way small blue-purple, pink, or white flowers bloom in tiers from July to September. Previously classified in the Verbenaceae family, it is now classified in the Lamiaceae family. While it can overwinter in warm regions west of Kanto, it is sensitive to cold, so in cold regions, seeds are sown in spring. In Japan, native species have drastically decreased and are designated as Near Threatened in the Ministry of Environment's Red Data Book.

Trivia

  • Named 'dangiku' (tier chrysanthemum) for its tiered flowering pattern, but it's not in the chrysanthemum family - it's in the mint family.
  • Sometimes called 'bluebeard' in English.
  • It's a rare plant designated as Near Threatened in Japan's Ministry of Environment Red Data Book.
  • Previously classified in the Verbenaceae family but now reclassified to Lamiaceae.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cultivated in flower beds and pots
  • Used as cut flowers in autumn arrangements
  • Used as tea flowers in tea ceremony
Medicinal
  • Used as raw material for Chinese herbal medicine
  • Used in traditional medicine for various symptoms

Caution: It is important to consult experts for medicinal use.

Culinary

Not used for culinary purposes.

Other
  • Cultivated as ornamental garden plants
  • Subject of ecosystem protection

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity has been reported.

Amaranth
Love-lies-bleeding Prince's feather Pigweed

Scientific Name: Amaranthus caudatus
Family: Amaranthaceae

Flower Language

  • Persevering spirit
  • Immortality
  • Imperishable
  • Infinite love
  • Faithfulness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Amaranth is an annual plant of the genus Amaranthus in the Amaranthaceae family, native to tropical America. It has a history of being used as a grain since the time of the Inca Empire, and is now gaining worldwide attention as a 'superfood.' It was introduced to Japan during the Edo period as an ornamental plant. From summer to autumn, it produces beautiful paniculate inflorescences with flowers in various colors including red, pink, yellow, and green. The seeds are rich in protein, iron, calcium, and other nutrients, and along with quinoa, are called 'super grains.' There are about 60 varieties, cultivated both for ornamental and food purposes.

Trivia

  • The name 'amaranth' comes from the Greek 'amarantos' meaning 'never fading.'
  • In the Inca Empire, it was called 'the golden seed of the gods' and treated as precious food.
  • In modern times, it's being researched as space food for astronauts.
  • It was introduced to Japan during the Edo period as an ornamental plant called 'himo-keitou.'

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used as cut flowers in autumn arrangements
  • Cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens and pots
  • Used as dried flowers for decoration
Medicinal
  • Used as an Ayurvedic herb in India
  • Believed to have antioxidant properties
  • Believed to boost immune system

Caution: It is important to consult experts for medicinal use.

Culinary
  • Seeds
  • Leaves
Other
  • Used in health foods as a superfood
  • Used as ingredient in cosmetics
  • Used as livestock feed

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally considered safe food, but may rarely cause allergic reactions.

Thoroughwort
Boneset Eupatorium

Scientific Name: Eupatorium japonicum
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • Hesitation
  • Delay
  • Remembering that day
  • Gentle memories

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Fujibakama is a perennial herb of the genus Eupatorium in the Asteraceae family, native to China, and has been beloved as one of the seven autumn flowers since ancient times. It is believed to have been introduced to Japan from China as a medicinal herb during the Nara period. In autumn, it blooms small pale pink flowers in clusters. While the fresh plant is odorless, when the stems and leaves are dried, they release a fragrance similar to sakura-mochi leaves. This fragrance is due to coumarin glycosides. Women in the Heian period used this fragrance for washing their hair and as insect repellent and aromatic. Currently, the number of wild plants has drastically decreased, and it is designated as Near Threatened in the Ministry of Environment's Red List.

Trivia

  • One of the seven autumn flowers, appearing in the Manyoshu as 'asagao no hana.'
  • Heian period women soaked dried stems and leaves in water to wash their hair.
  • Odorless when fresh, but releases sweet sakura-mochi-like fragrance when dried.
  • Currently designated as Near Threatened by Japan's Ministry of Environment and needs protection.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used as tea flowers in tea ceremony
  • Used in autumn flower arrangements
  • Cultivated for ornamental purposes in gardens and pots
Medicinal
  • Used for diuretic effects in Chinese medicine
  • Used for regulating menstrual irregularities
  • Used for promoting bile secretion
  • Used as bath additive for neuralgia

Caution: It is important to consult Chinese medicine practitioners or experts for medicinal use.

Culinary

Not used for culinary purposes, but sometimes used as tea.

Other
  • Used as hair wash in the Heian period
  • Used as insect repellent and aromatic
  • Sometimes used as dye

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported, but proper use is important as it's a medicinal plant.