October 31

Birth Flower

White Rain Lily
Zephyr Lily Candida

Scientific Name: Zephyranthes candida
Family: Amaryllidaceae

Flower Language

  • purity
  • pure white love
  • untainted love
  • expectation

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

White Rain Lily is a bulbous plant from the Amaryllidaceae family, native to the La Plata River basin in South America, introduced to Japan in the early Meiji period. The Japanese name 'Tamasudare' compares the small white flowers to 'jewels' and the clustered narrow leaves to 'bamboo blinds.' Growing 15-30cm tall, it produces pure white 6-petaled flowers 3-4cm in diameter from September to October. Flowers are funnel-shaped with 6 stamens and 1 pistil in the center. The scientific name Zephyranthes means 'flower of the west wind' in Greek, while candida represents 'pure white.' The small bulbs multiply through natural division and bloom annually even when left unattended. Cold-hardy and can overwinter outdoors from the Kanto region westward.

Trivia

  • Also called 'Rain Lily' for blooming en masse after rain
  • Scientific name 'flower of west wind' derives from wind direction seen from native region
  • Strong reproductive ability, multiplying from one bulb to dozens in few years
  • Naturalized and established in various locations since Meiji period introduction

Uses

Ornamental
  • Autumn garden bulb planting
  • Potted ornamental cultivation
  • Ground cover use
Medicinal
  • Used for fever reduction in South American folk medicine
  • Traditional medicine for digestive system disorders

Caution: Toxic as member of Amaryllidaceae family; medicinal use should be avoided.

Culinary

Not edible due to toxicity

Other
  • Subject of ecosystem research as naturalized plant
  • Used in reproduction research through natural bulb multiplication
  • Used as indicator plant for post-rain blooming

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Bulbs, Entire plant

Symptoms: Contains alkaloids like lycorine; ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological symptoms.

Balloon Flower
Japanese Bellflower Platycodon

Scientific Name: Platycodon grandiflorus
Family: Campanulaceae

Flower Language

  • unchanging love
  • eternal love
  • sincerity
  • elegance
  • purity

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Balloon Flower is a perennial from the Campanulaceae family native to Japan, Korean Peninsula, China, and Eastern Siberia, long beloved as one of the seven autumn flowers. Growing 40-100cm tall, it produces beautiful flowers 4-5cm in diameter from June to September. Flowers are bell-shaped, deeply divided into five parts, commonly purple but also available in white and pink varieties. Its most distinctive feature is the pre-bloom bud that inflates like a balloon, earning the English name 'Balloon Flower.' The scientific name Platycodon means 'broad bell,' referring to the flower shape. The thick, fleshy root is also used as food called 'toraji' in Korean cuisine. Often used in family crests, particularly famous as Akechi Mitsuhide's bellflower crest. Wild populations have declined and it's designated as endangered species in some regions.

Trivia

  • Called 'Balloon Flower' in English due to balloon-like inflated buds
  • Leading theory that 'morning glory' in seven autumn flowers refers to bellflower
  • Historically famous as Akechi Mitsuhide's 'light blue bellflower' crest
  • Wild populations severely declined, protected as endangered species in some regions

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden perennial planting
  • Tea ceremony flower use
  • Long-lasting cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Used as 'Kikyo' in traditional Chinese medicine for cough and phlegm
  • Medicinal use of saponins contained in roots
  • Folk medicine for throat pain relief

Caution: Medicinal use requires expert knowledge; improper processing can be harmful.

Culinary
  • Roots
  • Young leaves
Other
  • Cultural use as family crest design
  • Purple dye source
  • Breeding material for ornamental varieties

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Roots, Entire plant

Symptoms: Contains saponins; improper consumption without proper processing may cause gastrointestinal disorders.

Skimmia
Japanese Skimmia Miyama Shikimi

Scientific Name: Skimmia japonica
Family: Rutaceae

Flower Language

  • purity
  • generosity

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Skimmia is an evergreen shrub from the Rutaceae family native to Japan, formally known as Miyama Shikimi. Growing 1-2m tall, it has glossy, leathery, oblong leaves. Its most distinctive feature is matchstick-like red buds that open in spring to produce pure white small 4-petaled flowers in clusters. The flowers have a sweet fragrance and can be enjoyed for long periods. Being dioecious, female plants produce red berries after flowering. With strong cold resistance and ability to grow well in shade, it's treasured in gardens and landscaping. Breeding advances in Europe have led to many varieties now available that are enjoyed in bud stage. The long viewing period from bud to bloom inspired the flower language meaning 'generosity.'

Trivia

  • Rare plant that was bred in Europe and returned to Japan as reverse import
  • Called 'patient flower' for being enjoyable in bud stage for months
  • Dioecious plant with beautiful red berries only on female plants
  • Treasured in garden design as rare evergreen shrub that grows in shade

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden evergreen shrub planting
  • Long-lasting cut flowers
  • Color accent in mixed plantings
Medicinal
  • Historical use for fever reduction in Japanese folk medicine
  • Used in traditional Chinese medicine

Caution: Entire plant is toxic; medicinal use should be avoided.

Culinary

Not edible due to toxicity

Other
  • Environmental greening utilizing shade tolerance
  • Important evergreen for cold regions
  • Used as breeding material

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Entire plant, Especially berries

Symptoms: Contains alkaloids like skimmianine; ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological symptoms.

Japanese Maple
Maple Autumn Maple

Scientific Name: Acer palmatum
Family: Sapindaceae

Flower Language

  • harmony
  • beautiful change
  • moderation
  • precious memories

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Japanese Maple is a deciduous tree from the Sapindaceae family native to Japan, Korean Peninsula, and China, formally known as Iroha Momiji (Iroha Kaede). Growing 10-15m tall, it has characteristic palmate leaves deeply divided into 5-7 lobes. It produces small reddish-purple flowers in spring, but its most beautiful feature is autumn foliage that changes gradually from green to yellow, orange, and red. This beautiful color transformation inspired the flower language 'beautiful change.' Long beloved as a Japanese autumn tradition, featured abundantly in Manyoshu and Kokin Wakashu poetry collections. Popular for garden and park planting as well as bonsai. Seeds are winged fruits dispersed by wind, shaped like 'bamboo helicopters.'

Trivia

  • 'Momiji' derives from 'momi-izu' (to turn color), different term from 'kaede'
  • Japan's autumn leaf viewing tradition began in Heian period
  • Seeds became children's toys due to resemblance to bamboo helicopters
  • While about 130 Acer species exist worldwide, Japan's Iroha Momiji has most beautiful autumn colors

Uses

Ornamental
  • Ornamental tree planting in gardens
  • Artistic cultivation as bonsai
  • Widely used in parks and street trees
Medicinal
  • Folk medicine using leaves as poultice for bruises
  • Bark decoction used as gastrointestinal medicine

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

Culinary
  • Young leaves
  • Flowers
Other
  • Wood used for furniture and crafts
  • Sap used as maple syrup alternative
  • Yellow dye source

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported