October 14

Birth Flower

Dancing Lady Orchid
Oncidium Golden Shower Orchid Butterfly Orchid

Scientific Name: Oncidium spp.
Family: Orchidaceae

Flower Language

  • dance with me
  • playfulness
  • beautiful eyes
  • lovely
  • pure
  • good nature

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Oncidium is a genus of about 400 species of epiphytic orchids from the Orchidaceae family, primarily distributed throughout Central and South America. The scientific name Oncidium derives from the Greek word 'onkos' (swelling), referring to the callus at the base of the lip. Most commonly yellow-flowered, they're also called 'Butterfly Orchids' due to their butterfly-like appearance. Growing as epiphytes on trees or rocks, they produce long flower stems from pseudobulbs, bearing numerous flowers in racemose inflorescences. Flower colors include yellow, pink, red, white, purple, brown, and various combinations. Fast-growing and relatively easy to cultivate, they're popular as beginner orchids. Widely available as cut flowers, they're known for their excellent longevity.

Trivia

  • Scientific name established in 1800 by Swedish botanist Olof Swartz
  • English name 'Dancing Lady' comes from flowers resembling dancing women
  • Designated as the national flower of Costa Rica
  • About 400 species exist, with thousands of cultivars including hybrids

Uses

Ornamental
  • Potted ornamental cultivation
  • Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
  • Display plants in greenhouses
Medicinal
  • Limited records of traditional medicinal uses

Caution: No established medicinal efficacy.

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Some varieties used as perfume ingredients
  • Psychological benefits in horticultural therapy
  • Value as collectible plants

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported

American Blue
Blue Daze Evolvulus Brazilian Dwarf Morning Glory

Scientific Name: Evolvulus pilosus
Family: Convolvulaceae

Flower Language

  • bond between two
  • refreshing feeling
  • overflowing feelings
  • cleanliness
  • impressive

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

American Blue is a perennial from the Convolvulaceae family, native to Central America and introduced to Japan in the 1980s. Its proper scientific name is Evolvulus pilosus, and 'Evolvulus' is the correct name, but it became established as 'American Blue' (meaning 'blue flower from America') because its botanical classification was unknown during initial import. It grows in a trailing manner, spreading horizontally and producing numerous intense blue flowers 2-3cm in diameter. The flowers are ephemeral, opening in the morning and closing in the evening, sometimes not opening on cloudy days. Highly tolerant of heat and drought, it continues blooming with refreshing blue flowers even in summer heat, making it popular with gardening beginners. In Japan, it's often treated as an annual due to its semi-hardy nature.

Trivia

  • Official name is 'Evolvulus' but established as 'American Blue'
  • Flowers are ephemeral, opening in morning and closing in evening
  • Flowers don't open on cloudy days
  • Relatively new garden plant introduced to Japan in the 1980s

Uses

Ornamental
  • Ground cover in summer flower beds
  • Trailing effect in hanging baskets
  • Accent plants in container gardens
Medicinal
  • Limited records of folk medicine use

Caution: No established medicinal uses.

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Nectar source attracting butterflies and bees
  • Ground cover in dry regions
  • Soil erosion prevention

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: unknown

Toxic Parts: Information insufficient

Symptoms: No specific toxicity reports found, but ingestion should be avoided as precaution

Cosmos
Mexican Aster Garden Cosmos

Scientific Name: Cosmos bipinnatus
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • elegance
  • beauty
  • maiden's sincerity
  • harmony
  • modesty

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

Cosmos is an annual plant from the Asteraceae family, native to Mexican highlands above 1600m elevation. The scientific name Cosmos bipinnatus derives from the Greek word 'cosmos' meaning 'beautiful,' 'harmony,' and 'universe.' Growing 2-3m tall, it has opposite, bipinnately compound leaves that are finely divided into thread-like segments. It produces flower heads 6-10cm in diameter, typically with 8 ray petals ranging from white to pale pink to deep pink. White cosmos gives a particularly pure and elegant impression and is beloved as the birth flower for October 14th. As a short-day plant, it blooms in autumn and has been established as an autumn symbol in Japan since its introduction during the Meiji period. Hardy and easy to cultivate, it grows well even in poor soil, making it widely used for landscaping and environmental restoration.

Trivia

  • Japanese reading 'kosumosu' for kanji '秋桜' popularized by Momoe Yamaguchi's song
  • Blooms in autumn as a short-day plant responding to shorter daylight hours
  • Tends to flower better in poor soil conditions
  • September 14th is designated as 'Cosmos Day' in Japan

Uses

Ornamental
  • Landscape plants in autumn flower beds
  • Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
  • Tourism use in cosmos fields
Medicinal
  • Limited records of folk medicine use

Caution: No established medicinal efficacy.

Culinary
  • Flowers
  • Young leaves
Other
  • Nectar source attracting butterflies and bees
  • Landscape and environmental restoration plants
  • Seeds used as bird food

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported