November 04

Birth Flower

Firethorn
Pyracantha Scarlet Firethorn

Scientific Name: Pyracantha coccinea
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • Cheerfulness
  • Charm
  • Burning feelings

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Pyracantha is an evergreen shrub in the rose family that produces small white flowers in May-June and bright red berries from autumn to winter. Due to its sharp thorns, it is widely used for security hedging. While the berries are visually striking, they contain cyanogenic glycosides and require caution. However, by late February, the toxins dissipate and the berries become an important food source for birds. Being evergreen and easy to grow, and tolerant of pruning, it is also popular for ornamental purposes.

Trivia

  • The scientific name 'Pyracantha' means 'fire thorn' in Greek
  • Birds have the wisdom to wait until February when toxins dissipate before eating the berries
  • Berries can become so numerous that branches bend under their weight
  • Has been cultivated in Japan since the Edo period

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden ornamental use
  • Hedging purposes
  • Bonsai cultivation
Medicinal

Caution: Berries contain cyanogenic glycosides and large consumption is dangerous

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use due to toxicity

Other
  • Security hedging
  • Bird food (winter, after toxins dissipate)

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Berry seeds

Symptoms: Large consumption may cause gastrointestinal symptoms

Crossandra
Firecracker Flower Summer Candle

Scientific Name: Crossandra infundibuliformis
Family: Acanthaceae

Flower Language

  • Friendship
  • Companionship

Characteristics

Colors: Orange

Description

Crossandra is an evergreen small shrub in the Acanthaceae family, native to South India. It was introduced to Japan in 1912 and produces vibrant orange flowers from early summer to autumn over an extended period. The flower language of 'friendship' comes from the way flowers cluster together in spikes. Also known as 'Summer Candle' or 'Firecracker Flower', its distinctive flower shape resembles a candle flame. Being sensitive to cold, it is mainly grown in pots or as an indoor ornamental plant in Japan.

Trivia

  • The scientific name 'Crossandra' means 'fringed stamens' in Greek
  • The alternative name 'Summer Candle' comes from its flame-like flower shape
  • Has over 100 years of cultivation history since its introduction to Japan in 1912
  • The way flowers bloom in succession gives rise to its friendship symbolism

Uses

Ornamental
  • Potted plant decoration
  • Indoor ornamental use
  • Container gardening
Medicinal

Caution: No specific toxicity reported, generally enjoyed as an ornamental plant

Culinary

Not used for culinary purposes

Other
  • Gift potted plants
  • Greenhouse cultivation

Toxicity

Symptoms: No specific toxicity reported

Saffron Crocus
Saffron Autumn Crocus

Scientific Name: Crocus sativus
Family: Iridaceae

Flower Language

  • Joyful smile
  • Cheerfulness
  • Beauty of moderation

Characteristics

Colors: Purple

Description

Saffron is a bulbous plant in the iris family that produces beautiful purple flowers from October to December. The three red stigmas emerging from the flower center are the source of the world's most expensive spice, saffron. It has been prized since ancient times as a spice, dye, and medicine, and was reportedly favored by Cleopatra. The flower language of 'joyful smile' derives from ancient European beliefs that saffron had the effect of making people cheerful. It remains an essential luxury ingredient in Spanish paella and Persian cuisine today.

Trivia

  • About 150-200 flowers are needed to produce 1g of saffron
  • Can be more expensive than gold by weight
  • Has over 3000 years of usage history since ancient times
  • Iran produces 85% of the world's saffron

Uses

Ornamental
  • Autumn garden decoration
  • Bulb cultivation
  • Cut flower use
Medicinal
  • Menstrual disorder relief
  • Depression alleviation
  • Cold constitution improvement
  • Sedative and analgesic effects

Caution: Intake over 5g per day may cause side effects. Avoid use during pregnancy.

Culinary
  • Stigmas
Other
  • Natural dye
  • Fragrance ingredient
  • Cosmetic ingredient

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Stigmas (when consumed in large quantities)

Symptoms: Side effects may occur with intake over 5g per day, potentially fatal over 12g

Japanese Beautyberry
Purple Beautyberry East Asian Beautyberry

Scientific Name: Callicarpa japonica
Family: Lamiaceae

Flower Language

  • Intelligence
  • Elegance
  • Being loved

Characteristics

Colors: Purple

Description

Murasakishikibu is a deciduous shrub in the mint family, native to Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. It produces small pale purple flowers in summer clusters, followed by beautiful purple berries in autumn. It was named after the author of The Tale of Genji due to the elegant beauty of its berries, reminiscent of Lady Murasaki's talent and beauty. The flower languages of 'intelligence' and 'elegance' derive from Lady Murasaki's wisdom and grace, while 'being loved' references Prince Genji from her tale. The berries are edible with a subtle sweetness. It's popular as a garden tree, with its autumn purple berries beautifully decorating gardens.

Trivia

  • Was called 'murasakishikimi' before the Edo period
  • The scientific name 'Callicarpa' means 'beautiful fruit' in Greek
  • Used as fish poison on South Pacific islands
  • Beloved by Japanese since the Heian period when The Tale of Genji was written

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden tree planting
  • Ikebana material
  • Bonsai cultivation
Medicinal

Caution: No specific medicinal effects reported, but safe for ornamental use

Culinary
  • Berries
Other
  • Craft material (strong trunk)
  • Chopsticks and tool handles
  • Historical use as fish poison for fishing

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported. Berries are edible.

Hart's-tongue Fern
Japanese Hart's-tongue

Scientific Name: Asplenium antiquum
Family: Aspleniaceae

Flower Language

  • You are my joy
  • True comfort
  • Valiant

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Kotaniwatari is an evergreen epiphytic fern in the spleenwort family, widely distributed in the temperate northern hemisphere. Its leaves resemble kelp or wakame seaweed, growing radially from the center to form a circular pattern. It attaches to other trees or rocks, spreading its leaves vigorously as if reaching out, which gives the impression of trying to cross a valley, hence the name 'kotaniwatari' (small valley crosser). As a fern, it doesn't produce flowers, but its distinctive leaf shape and beautiful green color make it popular for ornamental purposes. As an epiphytic plant, it can be cultivated without soil and is gaining attention as a modern interior plant.

Trivia

  • As a fern, it doesn't flower but reproduces through spores
  • Can be cultivated without soil as an epiphytic plant
  • One of the easily recognizable ferns due to its kelp-like leaf shape
  • Gaining attention as a modern interior plant

Uses

Ornamental
  • Indoor cultivation as houseplant
  • Epiphytic interior decoration
  • Ikebana material
Medicinal

Caution: No specific medicinal effects reported, but safe for ornamental use

Culinary

Not used for culinary purposes

Other
  • Cultivation as air plant
  • Terrarium material

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported