October 22

Birth Flower

Narrow-leaf Zinnia
Zinnia Linearis Mexican Zinnia Classic Zinnia

Scientific Name: Zinnia angustifolia
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • friendship
  • thinking of absent friends
  • unchanging heart

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Zinnia angustifolia is an annual flower from the Asteraceae family, native to North America. The species name angustifolia means 'narrow leaves'. Characterized by its low height of 30-40cm, narrow leaves, and numerous small single flowers 2-3cm in diameter. Flower colors include orange, yellow, and white, blooming continuously from May to November. Highly resistant to heat and drought, requiring no deadheading, making it ideal for summer gardens. With excellent branching habit, it spreads in all directions covering the plant with flowers, also used as ground cover.

Trivia

  • Unique trait of continuous blooming without deadheading
  • Linearis means 'thin line' in Latin, referring to its narrow leaves
  • Flower language of friendship derived from blooming when other flowers wilt in heat
  • Seeds are easily dispersed by wind and can naturalize

Uses

Ornamental
  • Summer garden borders and foreground planting
  • Container and pot cultivation
  • Ground cover applications
Medicinal
  • Traditional anti-inflammatory uses
  • Used for wound treatment in Mexican folk medicine

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

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Dried flower crafts material
  • Natural dye source for orange colors
  • Nectar source for butterflies and bees

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported

Clematis
Virgin's Bower Traveller's Joy Old Man's Beard

Scientific Name: Clematis florida
Family: Ranunculaceae

Flower Language

  • beauty of the heart
  • spiritual beauty
  • traveller's joy
  • nobility

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Clematis is a perennial from the Ranunculaceae family widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, known as the 'queen of climbing plants'. The name Clematis derives from Greek 'klema' meaning tendril or vine. It has no petals; what appear to be petals are actually sepals that color beautifully. Flower colors are abundant including blue, purple, red, pink, white, and yellow, with diameters ranging from a few centimeters to over 20cm. Vine length varies from 30cm to nearly 10m depending on variety, with blooming period from May to October. Though the vines appear delicate and fragile, they are surprisingly sturdy, inspiring the flower language 'beauty of the heart' from this hidden strength and beauty.

Trivia

  • Over 300 wild species exist worldwide with thousands of cultivated varieties
  • Vines appear delicate but are surprisingly strong and resilient
  • Species called 'Old Man's Beard' grows wild in Britain
  • Long-lasting beauty comes from colored sepals rather than petals

Uses

Ornamental
  • Arch and pergola decoration
  • Fence and wall greening
  • Container cultivation for viewing
Medicinal
  • Used for joint pain treatment in Chinese medicine
  • European folk remedy for skin conditions

Caution: Contains toxic compounds throughout plant; medicinal use requires professional guidance.

Culinary

Not edible due to toxicity

Other
  • Ikebana flower material
  • Garden design accent plant
  • Nectar source attracting insects

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Entire plant, Especially sap

Symptoms: May cause dermatitis and oral inflammation. Ingestion can cause digestive system disorders.

Balloon Flower
Chinese Bellflower Platycodon

Scientific Name: Platycodon grandiflorus
Family: Campanulaceae

Flower Language

  • unchanging love
  • elegance
  • purity
  • sincerity

Characteristics

Colors: purple

Description

Platycodon grandiflorus is a perennial from the Campanulaceae family native to East Asia, beloved by Japanese people since ancient times as one of the seven autumn flowers. The scientific name derives from Greek 'platys (wide) + codon (bell)', describing the flower shape. Its most distinctive feature is the balloon-like buds that open into beautiful star-shaped flowers 4-5cm in diameter. While purple is the basic color, white and pink varieties also exist. Growing 50-100cm tall, it blooms from July to September. Referenced as 'asagao' in the Manyoshu poetry collection and used in samurai family crests, it's deeply rooted in Japanese culture. The roots are used medicinally for cough and phlegm relief.

Trivia

  • English name 'Balloon Flower' comes from inflated balloon-like buds
  • The 'asagao' in Manyoshu is believed to refer to this flower
  • Famous as Akechi Mitsuhide's family crest 'Kikyo-mon'
  • Wild species endangered but numerous garden varieties exist

Uses

Ornamental
  • Tea ceremony flowers
  • Autumn ikebana arrangements
  • Autumn atmosphere in gardens
Medicinal
  • Dried roots used as cough suppressant in traditional medicine
  • Important ingredient in Chinese herbal medicine
  • Folk remedy for expectorant effects

Caution: Medicinal use should be under professional guidance; avoid self-medication.

Culinary
  • Young leaves
  • Roots
Other
  • Used in family crest and pattern designs
  • Decorative motif in traditional paper
  • Important element in garden design

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Roots, Entire plant (in large quantities)

Symptoms: Large quantities may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, but moderate amounts are generally safe.