October 16

Birth Flower

Liriope
Big Blue Lilyturf Monkey Grass Border Grass

Scientific Name: Liriope muscari
Family: Asparagaceae

Flower Language

  • patience
  • hidden heart
  • modesty
  • innocent

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Liriope is an evergreen perennial from the Asparagaceae family, native to East Asia and naturally growing in mountainous areas from Honshu to Kyushu in Japan. Growing 30-60cm tall, it produces narrow, linear leaves in clumps from the base. From summer to autumn, flower stems emerge between leaves, bearing dense spikes of small purple flowers. The flowers are small 6-petaled blooms 6-8mm in diameter, hanging like grape clusters and creating beautiful displays with high ornamental value. Many variegated cultivars have been developed, making it popular as a colorful foliage plant. Its shade tolerance and relative drought resistance make it widely used as groundcover and understory planting. In autumn, it produces small blackish-purple berries that also serve as ornamental features. The Japanese name 'Yamasuge' means 'mountain sedge,' referring to its resemblance to sedge plants growing in mountainous areas.

Trivia

  • Often confused with Ophiopogon due to similar appearance but different species
  • Scientific name Liriope derives from Greek mythology water nymph
  • Variegated varieties created in Japan since Meiji period, exported worldwide
  • One of the most popular groundcover plants in America

Uses

Ornamental
  • Understory planting in Japanese gardens
  • Widely used as groundcover
  • Indoor potted plant cultivation
Medicinal
  • Roots used medicinally in Chinese traditional medicine
  • Folk medicine applications for strengthening effects

Caution: Consult professionals before medicinal use.

Culinary

Generally not used for culinary purposes

Other
  • Soil stabilization in landscape restoration
  • Foliage in floral arrangements
  • Dried flower material

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Berries

Symptoms: Large quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort.

Winter Cosmos
Bidens Three-nerved Beggarticks Goldmarie

Scientific Name: Bidens triplinervia
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • I will love you once more
  • harmony
  • sincerity
  • patience

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Bidens triplinervia is an annual from the Asteraceae family, native to North America, called 'Winter Cosmos' for its cosmos-like flowers, though taxonomically different from true cosmos. Growing 30-80cm tall, it produces continuous blooms of 2-3cm yellow flowers from summer through early winter. The flowers are single with thicker, glossier petals than cosmos. Leaves are opposite with three prominent veins, giving rise to the species name 'triplinervia' (three-veined). Extremely hardy, it thrives even in poor soil and continues blooming until frost. With high cold resistance, it can be grown outdoors without special winter protection, and if brought indoors, continues flowering into the new year. Suitable for hanging baskets and containers, with some varieties growing in trailing habits. Some species have naturalized in Japan, demonstrating remarkable environmental adaptability.

Trivia

  • Called 'Winter Cosmos' despite not being true cosmos due to similar appearance
  • One of large genera with over 200 species distributed worldwide
  • Seeds have two spines that attach to animals for dispersal
  • Some species naturalized in Japan, visible along roadsides and vacant lots

Uses

Ornamental
  • Main attraction in autumn-winter flower beds
  • Three-dimensional effects in hanging baskets
  • Long-lasting cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Traditional North American use for wound healing
  • Aromatherapy applications for relaxation

Caution: Effects unconfirmed by modern medicine; consult professionals before medicinal use.

Culinary

Generally not used for culinary purposes

Other
  • Nectar source attracting butterflies and bees
  • Soil improvement for land reclamation
  • Dried flowers utilizing yellow blooms

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported

China Root
Greenbrier Japanese Greenbrier Bamboo Vine

Scientific Name: Smilax china
Family: Smilacaceae

Flower Language

  • indomitable spirit
  • become energetic
  • robust
  • vitality

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Sankirai is a deciduous climbing plant from the Smilacaceae family, officially named Sartori ivy, native to mountainous areas throughout Japan. The vines have sharp thorns and produce tendrils from leaf bases to climb other plants. Leaves are alternate, circular to ovate with glossy surfaces. In spring (April-May), it produces small yellowish-green flowers in clusters. Being dioecious, male and female flowers bloom on separate plants. In October-November, female plants produce beautiful red berries 8-10mm in diameter in clusters, highly valued for ornamental purposes and popular as dried flowers. The name derives from folk tales of 'going to mountains, eating these berries, and returning safely,' believing in their detoxifying properties. The roots are used medicinally for fever reduction and detoxification. While leaves fall in winter, the red berries persist for long periods, traditionally used in New Year decorations.

Trivia

  • Official name Sartori ivy, called Sankirai as substitute for medicinal Smilax glabra
  • Red berries dispersed by birds, playing important role in forest ecosystems
  • Vines can reach several meters, growing intertwined with other plants in forests
  • Used in New Year decorations since Edo period, still popular in flower markets

Uses

Ornamental
  • Red berries used in New Year decorations
  • Dried flowers for wreaths and arrangements
  • Natural effects in Japanese gardens
Medicinal
  • Dried roots used medicinally for fever reduction and detoxification
  • Folk medicine applications for joint pain and skin conditions

Caution: Consult professionals for medicinal use and proper processing required.

Culinary
  • Young leaves
  • New shoots
Other
  • Vines used as rattan substitute for weaving
  • Red dye extracted from roots
  • Natural repellent with insect-deterrent properties

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Berries, Leaves

Symptoms: Large quantities may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Also caution needed for thorn injuries.

Marigold
African Marigold French Marigold Tagetes

Scientific Name: Tagetes erecta
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • prophecy
  • sincerity
  • unchanging love
  • lovely affection

Characteristics

Colors: orange

Description

Marigold is an annual from the Asteraceae family, native to Mexico and Central America, brought to Europe by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. Growing 20-100cm tall, it produces vibrant orange and yellow flowers from April to December over an extended period. Flowers are double-petaled with pompom-like round shapes, 5-10cm in diameter. Leaves are pinnately compound with a distinctive strong fragrance that reportedly has insect-repelling properties, making it useful as a companion plant. Its heat tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soil make it popular with beginners as an easy-to-grow flower. The name comes from always blooming during the Virgin Mary's feast days, meaning 'Mary's golden flower.' The flower language 'prophecy' for orange marigolds relates to the Virgin Mary and derives from prophecies of Christ's nativity. Long-lasting as cut flowers, they're representative blooms that brighten autumn flower beds.

Trivia

  • Named 'Mary's golden flower' for blooming during Virgin Mary's feast days
  • Used extensively in Mexico's Day of the Dead to guide spirits
  • Used in NASA space experiments for cultivation on space stations
  • One of world's most widely cultivated flowers with hundreds of varieties

Uses

Ornamental
  • Main attraction in autumn flower beds
  • Long-lasting cut flowers
  • Container and pot cultivation
Medicinal
  • Traditional Mexican use for anti-inflammatory and wound healing
  • Petal extracts used in cosmetic products

Caution: Consult professionals before medicinal use.

Culinary
  • Petals
Other
  • Companion plant for insect-repelling effects
  • Natural dye source for yellow and orange colors
  • Potpourri ingredient utilizing fragrance

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported