October 15

Birth Flower

Chinese Boneset
Eupatorium Japanese Thoroughwort

Scientific Name: Eupatorium japonicum
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • cautious
  • remembering that day
  • hesitation
  • delay

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Fujibakama is a perennial herb from the Asteraceae family, counted among the seven autumn flowers of Japan. Originally from China and the Korean Peninsula, it was introduced to Japan as a medicinal herb. Interestingly, among the seven autumn flowers, Fujibakama is the only naturalized plant from China. It blooms with numerous small pink flowers from early October to mid-November, emitting a sweet fragrance similar to sakura-mochi leaves when semi-dried. Women in the Heian period used this fragrance to wash their hair and as insect repellent and air freshener. Currently designated as an endangered species, most commercially available plants are hybrids with Sawafujibakama. It's also an important plant in Japanese literature, appearing in the Man'yoshu and The Tale of Genji.

Trivia

  • Only naturalized Chinese plant among the seven autumn flowers
  • Most commercially available plants are hybrids with Sawafujibakama
  • Shares the same coumarin compound that gives sakura-mochi its scent
  • Designated as endangered species, making it precious

Uses

Ornamental
  • Autumn garden plantings
  • Tea ceremony flowers
  • Autumn ikebana arrangements
Medicinal
  • Bathing agent for neuralgia
  • Used in traditional medicine as 'Ransou'

Caution: Consult professionals before medicinal use.

Culinary

Not commonly used for culinary purposes

Other
  • Hair washing fragrance in Heian period
  • Natural insect repellent
  • Herbal tea preparation

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported

Fragrant Olive
Sweet Osmanthus Golden Osmanthus

Scientific Name: Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus
Family: Oleaceae

Flower Language

  • person of high aspirations
  • noble person
  • humility
  • unchanging charm
  • truth
  • intoxication
  • first love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Kinmokusei is an evergreen tree from the Oleaceae family, native to China and one of Japan's three most fragrant trees (alongside spring's Daphne and summer's Gardenia). The scientific name Osmanthus means 'fragrant flower,' and from mid-September to late October, it produces numerous small orange flowers with an intensely sweet fragrance. The fragrance components include β-ionone, linalool, and γ-decalactone, with a scent so powerful it can travel hundreds of meters. The blooming period is brief, lasting only 2-3 days to a week at most. In China, it's used as a food flavoring in 'osmanthus tea' and 'osmanthus wine,' while in Japan it has been used medicinally for gastritis and insomnia.

Trivia

  • Named 'Kinmokusei' by botanist Tomitaro Makino
  • The character '犀' (rhinoceros) used because bark resembles rhino skin
  • Fragrance strongest in morning, weaker in evening
  • Only male plants introduced to Japan, so no fruit production

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden trees for fragrance enjoyment
  • Widely used in parks and street plantings
  • Autumn ikebana arrangements
Medicinal
  • Dried flowers in shochu for stomach ailments
  • Treatment for insomnia and low blood pressure

Caution: Consult professionals before medicinal use.

Culinary
  • Flowers
Other
  • Fragrance component in perfumes and cosmetics
  • Aromatherapy for relaxation
  • Orange dye source

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported

Spider Flower
Cleome Bee Plant

Scientific Name: Cleome hassleriana
Family: Cleomaceae

Flower Language

  • secret moments
  • dancing in the wind
  • intoxicated by your beauty
  • dancing girl
  • small love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Cleome is an annual plant from the Cleomaceae family, native to South America and introduced to Japan during the Meiji period. Growing 60-120cm tall, individual flowers bloom in the evening and wither by noon the next day, but new flowers continuously open from bottom to top along the stem, providing long-lasting display. Characterized by four-petaled flowers with long stamens in pink, white, or purple colors. Called 'Western butterfly plant' for its butterfly-like appearance and 'drunken butterfly flower' for its color-changing properties. Recent cultivars have improved upon traditional drawbacks (thorns, stickiness, distinctive odor) and are also used as companion plants.

Trivia

  • English name 'Spider Flower' comes from long stamens resembling spider legs
  • Day flower that blooms in evening and withers by noon next day
  • Recent varieties improved traditional disadvantages for easier cultivation
  • Gaining attention in agriculture as beneficial insect habitat plant

Uses

Ornamental
  • Tall plants for summer to autumn flower beds
  • Short-term cut flower arrangements
  • Accent plants in container gardens
Medicinal
  • Limited records of folk medicine use

Caution: No established medicinal uses.

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Companion plant for pest control
  • Nectar source attracting butterflies and bees
  • Oil extraction from seeds in some regions

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported

Sweet Basil
Basil Great Basil

Scientific Name: Ocimum basilicum
Family: Lamiaceae

Flower Language

  • sacred
  • goodwill
  • good impression
  • what good fortune

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Sweet basil is an annual herb from the Lamiaceae family, native to India and tropical Asia, with the Japanese name 'Meboki' (eye broom). It blooms with small white or pale pink flowers arranged vertically from July to November. The main fragrance components include methyl chavicol, linalool, and cineole, with low irritation making it edible raw. Named after the Greek word 'basileus' meaning 'king,' as it was used in ancient Greece for royal perfumes and medicines. It pairs excellently with tomatoes and is widely used in Italian cuisine and dishes worldwide. It has stomach-settling effects and appetite stimulation properties, and is rich in carotene, vitamin E, and minerals.

Trivia

  • Called 'king of herbs' for its use in royal perfumes and medicines in ancient Greece
  • Companion plant with tomatoes, promoting mutual growth
  • Removing flowers extends leaf harvest period
  • Over 150 varieties exist worldwide

Uses

Ornamental
  • Fragrant plants in herb gardens
  • Dual-purpose plants in kitchen gardens for utility and beauty
  • Ornamental plants with beautiful white flower spikes
Medicinal
  • Digestive promotion for stomach and intestines
  • Appetite stimulation
  • Improvement of mouth ulcers (decoction)

Caution: Avoid large quantities; caution needed for those with allergies.

Culinary
  • Leaves
  • Flowers
Other
  • Essential oil ingredient
  • Natural insect repellent effects
  • Fragrance component in cosmetics

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity with appropriate use, but large quantities should be avoided