October 04

Birth Flower

Pot Mum
Garden Mum Spray Mum Potted Chrysanthemum

Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum × morifolium
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • nobility
  • pure love
  • noble love
  • probing feelings

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Pot Mum is a perennial from the Asteraceae family native to China, with its name abbreviated from 'Pot Chrysanthemum.' Developed in America in the 1950s as compact dwarf garden varieties for pot cultivation, it was introduced to Japan around 1960. Unlike traditional Japanese chrysanthemums, it features shorter stems, smaller flower diameter, and colorful blooms. As a short-day plant, year-round flowering stocks are produced by artificially adjusting day length with electric lights or covers. Flower colors are abundant including white, yellow, red, pink, and purple, with various forms from single to double blooms and pompons. Relatively easy to grow and enjoyable indoors as potted flowers, making them popular worldwide.

Trivia

  • Name abbreviated from 'Pot Chrysanthemum' to 'Pot Mum'
  • Year-round production possible through artificial day-length control as short-day plant
  • Modern horticultural variety developed in America
  • Smaller and more colorful than traditional Japanese chrysanthemums

Uses

Ornamental
  • Long-lasting indoor potted plants
  • Autumn color in container combinations
  • Autumn flower bed gardening
Medicinal
  • Chrysanthemum tea for eye strain and fever relief
  • Traditional Chinese medicine ingredient

Caution: May cause allergic reactions in some individuals; caution advised.

Culinary
  • Petals
Other
  • Also used as cut flowers
  • Long-term preservation as dried flowers
  • Natural insect repellent properties

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Stems

Symptoms: May cause dermatitis or allergic reactions in some individuals.

Golden Dewdrop
Pigeon Berry Sky Flower Brazilian Sky Flower

Scientific Name: Duranta erecta
Family: Verbenaceae

Flower Language

  • I want to watch over you
  • eye-catching appearance
  • welcome
  • self-satisfaction

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Duranta is an evergreen shrub from the Verbenaceae family native to tropical America, distributed from Mexico to South America and the Caribbean. The particularly popular variety 'Takarazuka' was released in Japan in 1994, named for its crisp appearance reminiscent of Takarazuka performers in hakama. It blooms from June to October with beautiful flowers having purple petals with white edges. Flowers are 1-2cm in diameter, appearing in impressive clusters. With a cold tolerance of 5°C, it can overwinter outdoors in frost-free warm regions. Given sufficient sunlight, water, and fertilizer, it can bloom year-round. In Japan, it's mainly enjoyed as potted plants and popular in balcony gardening.

Trivia

  • Takarazuka variety uniquely named after the beauty of Takarazuka Revue
  • Rare characteristic of blooming continuously year-round
  • Established as main variety of Taiwan Forsythia in Japan
  • Popularity surged with balcony gardening boom

Uses

Ornamental
  • Long-lasting potted plants
  • Color for balcony gardening
  • Year-round greenhouse cultivation
Medicinal
  • Traditional Central and South American medicine for skin conditions
  • Folk use for anti-inflammatory purposes

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

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Nectar source attracting butterflies and bees
  • Usable as hedging plant
  • Short-term enjoyment as cut flowers

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Stems

Symptoms: May cause mild gastrointestinal disorders.

Queen Anne's Lace
Bishop's Weed White Lace Flower

Scientific Name: Ammi majus
Family: Apiaceae

Flower Language

  • lovely heart
  • gratitude
  • faint feelings
  • delicate affection

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Lace Flower is an annual from the Apiaceae family native to the Mediterranean coast to Western Asia, with the Japanese name Dokuzerimadoki. This name comes from its resemblance to the highly poisonous Dokuzeri of the same family, though Lace Flower itself is non-toxic. The English name Queen Anne's Lace derives from the resemblance of its delicate flowers to the lace of Queen Anne, who was skilled in lace-making. Growing 60-120cm tall, it blooms with 5-10cm diameter umbel inflorescences from May to July. Characterized by beautiful lace-like appearance from densely clustered small white flowers, it was introduced to Japan around the 1980s as a cut flower. With good flower longevity, it's valued in bouquets and flower arrangements.

Trivia

  • English name Queen Anne's Lace honors the lace-making skills of Queen Anne
  • Relatively new flower in Japan, popularized as cut flower since 1980s
  • Despite Japanese name suggesting poison, it's actually non-toxic
  • Naturalized and beloved as beautiful roadside flower in America

Uses

Ornamental
  • Long-lasting cut flowers
  • Valued as supporting element in bouquets and arrangements
  • White flower background in garden plantings
Medicinal
  • European folk medicine for skin condition treatment
  • Traditional use for anti-inflammatory purposes

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

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Long-term preservation as dried flowers
  • Pressed flowers for crafts
  • Nectar source attracting insects

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported