October 12

Birth Flower

Japanese Anemone
Autumn Anemone Windflower

Scientific Name: Anemone hupehensis var. japonica
Family: Ranunculaceae

Flower Language

  • faint feelings
  • fading love
  • patience
  • sensitive time

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Japanese anemone is a perennial from the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to China, long naturalized and wild in Japan. Despite having 'chrysanthemum' in its Japanese name, it belongs to the anemone family, not the chrysanthemum family. Growing 40-130cm tall, it produces beautiful 5-8cm diameter flowers in autumn. Flower colors range from white to pale pink and purplish-red, with both single and double-flowered varieties. Also called 'Kibune-giku' after being commonly found in Kibune, Kyoto, and has the alternative name 'autumn peony.' It reproduces through underground rhizomes and once planted, reliably produces beautiful flowers annually as a hardy plant. Beloved for tea ceremony arrangements, it has become an indispensable part of Japan's autumn landscape.

Trivia

  • Despite having 'chrysanthemum' in its name, it's actually an anemone family member
  • Alternative name 'Kibune-giku' originated from abundant growth in Kyoto's Kibune area
  • Arrived from China before Heian period, coloring Japanese autumn for over 1000 years
  • Considered high-ranking flower in tea ceremony, with single blooms particularly favored

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden planting for autumn color
  • Tea ceremony flower arrangements
  • Cut flowers for autumn bouquets
Medicinal
  • Traditional Chinese medicine uses roots for fever reduction and pain relief
  • Folk medicine external application for bruises

Caution: Entire plant is toxic; consult professionals before medicinal use.

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Ground cover for soil protection
  • Contributes to ecosystem as wildlife food source
  • Slope stabilization planting

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Entire plant, Rhizomes

Symptoms: Contains protoanemonin which may cause dermatitis and digestive symptoms.

Geranium
Pelargonium Zonal Geranium

Scientific Name: Pelargonium × hortorum
Family: Geraniaceae

Flower Language

  • true friendship
  • trust
  • respect
  • determination
  • happiness with you
  • I don't believe your love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Geranium is a perennial from the Geraniaceae family native to South Africa's Cape region, brought to the Netherlands in the 17th century and subsequently spread throughout Europe. It was introduced to Japan in 1864 during the late Edo period. Its main characteristic is vivid flower colors including red, pink, white, orange, and purple in diverse variations. Leaves are circular with serrated edges, emitting a distinctive fragrance. This scent has insect-repelling properties, leading to the European tradition of placing them on windowsills. It blooms continuously from spring to autumn, making it popular with beginners due to its easy cultivation. Through breeding, various flower forms now exist including single, double, and star-shaped blooms, with many horticultural varieties like ivy geranium and scented geranium.

Trivia

  • Insect-repelling window placement became characteristic of European streetscapes
  • Fragrance varies greatly by variety including rose, lemon, mint scents
  • Easily propagated by cuttings, often shared among friends through division
  • Japanese kanji name 'tenjiku-aoi' means 'hollyhock from India (Tenjiku)'

Uses

Ornamental
  • Potted plants for indoor and outdoor appreciation
  • Hanging basket materials
  • Border plants in flower beds
Medicinal
  • South African traditional medicine uses roots for digestive ailments
  • Folk medicine uses leaves for insect bite treatment

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

Culinary
  • Petals (some varieties)
  • Young leaves
Other
  • Natural insect repellent effects
  • Essential oil use in aromatherapy
  • Companion plants protecting other vegetation

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Stems

Symptoms: Large quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms, but generally not problematic.

Gerbera
Gerbera Daisy Transvaal Daisy

Scientific Name: Gerbera jamesonii
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • hope
  • positive
  • always moving forward
  • ultimate beauty
  • friendliness
  • kindness

Characteristics

Colors: yellow

Description

Gerbera is a perennial from the Asteraceae family native to South Africa, discovered in 1878 by Scottish botanist Robert Jameson. The genus name Gerbera honors 18th-century German naturalist Traugott Gerber. Flowers are large (5-12cm diameter) with diverse forms from single to double blooms. Flower colors are extremely abundant including red, pink, orange, yellow, white, and purple, with approximately 2000 varieties currently existing. Yellow gerberas particularly range from yamabuki gold to lemon yellow, with black-centered varieties resembling charming small sunflowers. Strong stems make them extremely popular as cut flowers, beloved worldwide. Blooming periods are March-May and September-November, with greenhouse cultivation enabling year-round shipping.

Trivia

  • Approximately 2000 varieties represent extraordinary diversity even in cut flower world
  • Dutch breeding dramatically improved flower longevity, enabling worldwide popularity
  • Yellow variety flower meaning 'ultimate beauty' is uniquely positive among yellow flowers
  • Diagonal stem cutting improves water uptake and longevity as cut flowers

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
  • Potted plants for indoor and outdoor appreciation
  • Decorative flower material for weddings and events
Medicinal
  • South African traditional medicine uses roots for digestive disorders
  • Folk medicine occasionally uses leaves for wound treatment

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

Culinary
  • Petals
Other
  • High economic value as major cut flower industry product
  • Academic value as breeding research material
  • Used in flower therapy for mood enhancement

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported