October 10

Birth Flower

Tatarian Aster
Aster Purple Aster

Scientific Name: Aster tataricus
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • reminiscence
  • I won't forget you
  • thinking of someone far away
  • patience

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Aster tataricus is a perennial from the Asteraceae family distributed in Japan, Korea, China, and eastern Siberia, cultivated for ornamental purposes since the Heian period. Known as 'omoi-gusa' (thinking plant) in the Konjaku Monogatari, it has long been cherished as a flower for remembering deceased parents. Growing 1-2m tall, it produces numerous pale purple flowers (2.5-3cm diameter) at stem tips from mid-September to October. Each flower has yellow disc florets in the center surrounded by 15-20 ray petals in a star-like arrangement. The scientific name Aster derives from the Greek word for 'star,' reflecting this radial flower form. The rhizome is used in traditional Chinese medicine as 'shion' for cough suppression and expectorant effects, making it an important medicinal plant.

Trivia

  • Konjaku Monogatari tells of a brother offering forget-me-nots and another offering omoi-gusa (aster) at their parents' grave
  • Scientific name Aster means 'star,' representing the flower's radial form
  • Beloved by Japanese people for over 1000 years since the Heian period
  • Medicinal properties of rhizome have been known in China since ancient times as important herbal medicine

Uses

Ornamental
  • Autumn garden color plantings
  • Cut flowers for autumn bouquets
  • Potted wildflower cultivation
Medicinal
  • Traditional Chinese medicine 'shion' for cough suppression
  • Traditional use for expectorant effects
  • Rhizome used for bronchitis treatment

Caution: Medicinal use requires professional knowledge; self-medication should be avoided.

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Used as pale purple dye source
  • Contributes to ecosystem as wildlife food source
  • Nectar source attracting butterflies and bees

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported

Bouvardia
Hummingbird Bush Scarlet Trompetilla

Scientific Name: Bouvardia ternifolia
Family: Rubiaceae

Flower Language

  • sincere love
  • communication
  • friendship
  • unwavering passion

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Bouvardia is an evergreen shrub from the Rubiaceae family native to Mexico, introduced to Japan during the Meiji period for ornamental purposes. The Japanese name 'kan-choji' (tube clove) derives from the elongated tubular buds resembling clove flowers. Individual flowers are small (1-2cm diameter) but distinctive, with slender tubes that split into four parts, opening in a cross shape. These flowers cluster densely at stem tips, with up to 30 blooms in a single cluster. Flower colors include red, pink, white, yellow, and orange, with both single and double-flowered varieties. Many varieties are fragrant, making them popular as cut flowers. The name honors Charles Bouvard, physician to Louis XIII and director of the French Royal Garden.

Trivia

  • Named after Charles Bouvard, physician to Louis XIII
  • Cross-shaped flowers make it beloved as cross symbol in Christian regions
  • Known as hummingbird favorite, hence the English name 'Hummingbird Bush'
  • Long-lasting cut flower, standard material in floral arrangements

Uses

Ornamental
  • Main material for cut flower bouquets and arrangements
  • Shrub plantings in gardens
  • Potted plants for indoor appreciation
Medicinal
  • Mexican folk medicine uses flowers for fever reduction
  • Traditional use for anti-inflammatory effects

Caution: Medical evidence is insufficient; consult professionals before medicinal use.

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Fragrant varieties used as perfume ingredients
  • Contributes to ecosystem as hummingbird nectar source
  • Important commercial crop in cut flower industry

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Sap

Symptoms: May cause skin irritation and dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Mandevilla
Rock Trumpet Chilean Jasmine

Scientific Name: Mandevilla sanderi
Family: Apocynaceae

Flower Language

  • dangerous love
  • solid friendship
  • passion

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Mandevilla is a climbing shrub from the Apocynaceae family distributed from Central America to Argentina, introduced to Japan during the Showa period for ornamental purposes. Named after British minister to Argentina Henry Mandeville who discovered this flower. It's a vine that climbs by twining around other plants or supports, producing large funnel-shaped flowers 5-12cm in diameter. Flower colors include pink, white, red, and yellow, blooming for an extended period from May to October. Leaves are glossy dark green and oval-shaped. While extremely heat-tolerant, it's sensitive to cold and weakens below 10°C. Its gorgeous, passionate flower appearance inspired flower language meanings like 'dangerous love' and 'passion.'

Trivia

  • Discoverer Henry Mandeville was known as both diplomat and plant enthusiast
  • Sometimes called by former genus name Dipladenia, still used interchangeably
  • Extremely vigorous vine growth, can extend several meters in one season
  • One of the plants that sparked the green curtain boom

Uses

Ornamental
  • Green curtains contributing to summer energy saving
  • Trellis-trained potted plants for appreciation
  • Year-round greenhouse cultivation
Medicinal
  • South American folk medicine uses sap for wound treatment
  • Traditional use for anti-inflammatory effects

Caution: Apocynaceae plants contain toxic compounds; medicinal use is dangerous. Professional consultation is essential.

Culinary

Not edible due to toxicity

Other
  • Nectar source attracting butterflies and hummingbirds
  • Greening plant for environmental protection
  • Contributes to urban heat island effect reduction

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Entire plant, Especially sap

Symptoms: Contains cardiac glycosides typical of Apocynaceae family; ingestion may cause cardiac effects or digestive system poisoning symptoms.