October 03

Birth Flower

October Daphne
Siebold's Stonecrop October Plant

Scientific Name: Hylotelephium sieboldii
Family: Crassulaceae

Flower Language

  • precious you
  • modesty
  • admiration

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Misebaya is a succulent perennial from the Crassulaceae family native to Japan and China, cultivated since the Edo period as a classical garden plant. Also called Tamano-wo, its name derives from a monk who discovered it and sent it to his poetry teacher with the message 'kimi ni misebaya (I want to show you).' Growing 20-30cm tall, the succulent leaves are oval-shaped, thick, and silver-green with red margins and gentle wavy serrations, arranged in whorls of three on the stem. From October to November, it produces spherical clusters of numerous small star-shaped reddish-purple flowers in corymbs at stem tips. Leaves beautifully color in autumn, and while the above-ground parts die back in winter, it overwinters with underground stems and dormant buds. The famous native habitat is Kankakei Gorge on Shodoshima Island in Kagawa Prefecture, with recent discoveries in Nara Prefecture.

Trivia

  • Name 'misebaya' means 'want to show' in classical Japanese
  • Kankakei Gorge on Shodoshima Island was considered the only confirmed native habitat
  • Representative of classical garden plants beloved since Edo period
  • Rare native Japanese succulent plant

Uses

Ornamental
  • Artistic bonsai cultivation
  • Rock garden plantings
  • Autumn color in container combinations
Medicinal
  • Folk medicine for external wound treatment
  • Succulent leaves for burns and cuts first aid

Caution: Scientific evidence is limited; consult professionals before use.

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Collection target among succulent enthusiasts
  • Material for moss ball making in Japanese gardens
  • Pressed flowers for crafts

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported

Zinnia
Common Zinnia Elegant Zinnia Youth and Age

Scientific Name: Zinnia elegans
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • thinking of distant friends
  • missing absent friends
  • unchanging feelings
  • bonds

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Zinnia is an annual flower from the Asteraceae family native to Mexico, beloved in Japan as Hyakunichisou (Hundred Days Flower). The genus name honors 18th-century German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn. Named for blooming continuously for a hundred days, it actually blooms from May to November - far longer than a hundred days. Flower diameter ranges from 3-15cm depending on variety, from single to double blooms in various forms. Colors include red, pink, yellow, orange, white, purple, and recently even green varieties. Plant height varies greatly from 20-120cm by variety, popular as an easy-to-grow flower for beginners due to heat tolerance.

Trivia

  • Named for blooming hundred days but actually blooms much longer
  • One of the first flowers cultivated in space
  • Spread worldwide after introduction from Mexico to Europe in 18th century
  • Hundreds of varieties now exist through breeding

Uses

Ornamental
  • Long-lasting cut flowers
  • Summer to autumn stars in flower beds
  • Valued for color in container gardens
Medicinal
  • Traditional Mexican medicine for eye strain relief
  • Folk use for anti-inflammatory purposes

Caution: Scientific evidence is limited; consult professionals before medicinal use.

Culinary
  • Petals
Other
  • Natural dye source for various colors
  • Nectar source attracting butterflies and bees
  • Seeds used as bird food

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported

Tatarian Aster
Shion Purple Aster

Scientific Name: Aster tataricus
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • remembrance
  • never forget you
  • memories
  • thinking of someone far away

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Shion is a perennial from the Asteraceae family native to China, believed to have arrived in Japan by the Heian period. Growing 1-2m tall, it branches at the upper stem in September-October, producing numerous purple flower heads. Flowers are 2.5-3cm in diameter with yellow centers and beautifully arranged pale purple ray florets around the edges. Leaves are alternate, oblong with pointed ends, and clasp the stem at the base. The thick rhizome is used in traditional Chinese medicine for cough suppression and expectorant effects. The name 'shion' (purple aster) derives from the purple flowers and a Chinese tale symbolizing brotherly love. Appearing in the Konjaku Monogatari collection, it has long been beloved in Japanese literature. As one of the larger wild chrysanthemums, it's a representative flower coloring autumn mountains and fields.

Trivia

  • One of Japan's oldest flower stories in Konjaku Monogatari collection
  • Chinese legend of 'Shion flower' famous as symbol of brotherly love
  • Largest and most prominent among wild chrysanthemums
  • Over 2000 years of history as traditional medicine

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers for autumn atmosphere
  • Background plantings for autumn gardens
  • Natural landscaping in wild gardens
Medicinal
  • Rhizomes used as Shion-kon in traditional Chinese medicine
  • Believed to have cough suppressant and expectorant effects
  • Folk medicine for bronchitis treatment

Caution: Medicinal use requires expert guidance.

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Nectar source attracting butterflies and bees
  • Natural dye for pale purple color
  • Seed food for wild birds, contributing to ecosystems

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported

Japanese Maple
Maple Momiji

Scientific Name: Acer palmatum
Family: Sapindaceae

Flower Language

  • precious memories
  • beautiful change
  • harmony
  • restraint

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Maple is a deciduous tree from the Sapindaceae family native to Japan, Korean Peninsula, and China, particularly beloved in Japan as a representative tree for autumn foliage. Reaching 10-15m in height, it has characteristic palmate leaves divided into 5-9 lobes. Small red flowers bloom in corymbs from April to May, though less conspicuous compared to the beautiful autumn foliage. In autumn, leaves beautifully change from yellow to red and orange, becoming indispensable to Japan's autumn landscape. While momiji and kaede refer to the same plant, deeply lobed varieties are commonly called momiji, while shallowly lobed ones are called kaede. Popular as garden trees, they play important roles especially in Japanese gardens.

Trivia

  • Canadian flag features sugar maple, not Japanese maple
  • Japanese 1-yen coin features young maple leaf design
  • Autumn leaf viewing culture unique to Japan since Heian period
  • Internationally recognized as one of the world's most beautiful autumn foliage trees

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden trees for enjoying seasonal changes
  • Artistic bonsai cultivation
  • Landscaping in parks and streets
Medicinal
  • Folk medicine using bark for stomach pain and diarrhea
  • Leaves for external wound first aid

Caution: Scientific evidence is limited; consult professionals before use.

Culinary
  • Young leaves
  • Sap
Other
  • High-quality timber for furniture and musical instruments
  • Natural dye for beautiful colors
  • Nectar source contributing to ecosystems

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported