November 07

Birth Flower

Miniature Rose
Mini Rose Patio Rose Dwarf Rose

Scientific Name: Rosa hybrida
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • special achievement
  • unconscious beauty
  • endless love
  • love
  • passion

Characteristics

Colors: red

Description

Miniature roses are a category of roses characterized by their compact growth habit and small flowers approximately 5cm in diameter. Most commercially available miniature roses have repeat-blooming characteristics, allowing multiple flowering periods throughout the growing season when conditions are favorable. They come in various colors and bloom forms including cup-shaped, rosette, high-centered, and pompon styles. Flowers typically last about a week and can be enjoyed from May through November.

Trivia

  • Miniature roses originated from the dwarf characteristics of the China rose 'Rosa chinensis Minima'
  • Some varieties have been registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's smallest roses
  • Introduced to Japan during the Taisho era, with hundreds of varieties now in circulation
  • Cultivation experiments have been conducted on NASA's space station

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers for indoor decoration
  • Potted plants for balcony gardening
  • Mixed plantings in flower beds
Medicinal
  • Petals used as source material for rose hip tea
  • Relaxation effects in aromatherapy

Caution: Horticultural varieties are not suitable for consumption; consult experts for medicinal use.

Culinary

Horticultural miniature roses are not suitable for consumption.

Other
  • Used as source material for fragrances
  • Dried flowers for craft purposes

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally non-toxic, but care should be taken to avoid injury from thorns.

Obedient Plant
False Dragonhead Physostegia

Scientific Name: Physostegia virginiana
Family: Lamiaceae

Flower Language

  • brilliant achievement
  • hope
  • achievement of desires

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Physostegia virginiana is a perennial herb native to eastern North America, belonging to the mint family. The flower stems have a square cross-section and grow 40cm to 1m tall. From early August to early October, it produces 2-3cm long flowers in pink, light pink, or white colors, blooming sequentially from bottom to top. The leaves are narrow elliptical with pointed tips, arranged oppositely on the stem. It spreads through underground rhizomes, is very hardy and low-maintenance, adapting well to Japan's climate. The name derives from the flower spike's resemblance to a tiger's tail.

Trivia

  • The scientific name 'Physostegia' means 'bladder cover' in Greek, referring to the flower structure
  • The English name 'Obedient Plant' comes from the flowers staying in position when moved
  • Also called 'Kakutoranoo' in Japanese, referring to its square stems
  • Has been naturalizing in various locations since its introduction to Japan in the Taisho era

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers for indoor decoration
  • Background plants in flower beds
  • Mass plantings in naturalistic gardens
Medicinal
  • Traditionally used as medicinal herb by Native Americans
  • Primarily ornamental use in modern times

Caution: Medicinal use is not common today; do not use without expert knowledge.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption.

Other
  • Used as honey plant in beekeeping
  • Wildlife attractant plant in natural gardens

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally considered non-toxic but not for consumption.

Stauntonia
Wild Akebia Evergreen Akebia

Scientific Name: Stauntonia hexaphylla
Family: Lardizabalaceae

Flower Language

  • charm

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Stauntonia hexaphylla is an evergreen woody vine belonging to the Akebia family. Also known as Evergreen Akebia, it produces edible fruits similar to Akebia but retains its leaves year-round. Characterized by glossy, thick, palm-shaped leaves, it blooms from late March to mid-April with bell-shaped, fragrant flowers that are creamy white outside with reddish-purple streaks inside. In September-October, it produces 5-7cm elliptical dark reddish-purple fruits with sweet, edible flesh. The leaves start with 3 leaflets in young plants and increase to 5, then 7 as they mature, making it considered an auspicious plant for the Shichi-Go-San festival.

Trivia

  • The name is said to derive from Emperor Tenji's words 'mube naru kana'
  • Omi-Hachiman Mube is branded as a specialty product in Shiga Prefecture
  • Unlike Akebia, the fruit skin doesn't split, making harvest timing difficult to determine
  • Called 'ki-manjuu' (tree bun) or 'tsuru-gaki' (vine persimmon) during the Edo period

Uses

Ornamental
  • Climbing plant for hedges and fences
  • Ornamental vine in gardens
  • Trained as bonsai
Medicinal
  • Fruits believed to have tonic effects
  • Leaves and stems sometimes used in folk medicine

Caution: Consult experts for medicinal use.

Culinary
  • Fruits
  • Young leaves
Other
  • Vines used as craft material
  • Used for environmental improvement as green plant

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally non-toxic with edible fruits, but avoid overconsumption.

Eucalyptus
Gum Tree Blue Gum

Scientific Name: Eucalyptus globulus
Family: Myrtaceae

Flower Language

  • regeneration
  • rebirth
  • memory

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Eucalyptus is an evergreen tree in the Myrtaceae family, with nearly 900 species estimated to exist as of 2020. Large specimens can grow to 70-100m tall, with gray bark and leaves that vary from round to elongated depending on the species. The branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits all have fragrance, containing compounds like cineole and citronellal that are believed to have relaxing and insect-repelling effects. The scientific name derives from Greek meaning 'good cover,' referring to the fused sepals and petals forming a cap-like structure over the buds. The flower language of 'regeneration' comes from the plant's ability to germinate and regenerate after Australian bushfires.

Trivia

  • Koalas eat only about 30 of the 900 eucalyptus species, being extremely selective
  • Eucalyptus seeds have the special property of germinating when exposed to high temperatures
  • The world's tallest tree record is also held by eucalyptus, with specimens exceeding 100m
  • Introduced to Japan during the Meiji era, initially expected to serve as paper pulp material

Uses

Ornamental
  • Indoor decoration as houseplant
  • Dried flower arrangements
  • Garden tree planting
Medicinal
  • Essential oil used in aromatherapy
  • Relief for coughs and nasal congestion
  • Antiseptic and antimicrobial effects

Caution: Essential oil can be harmful in high concentrations. Avoid use during pregnancy or for children.

Culinary

Generally not suitable for consumption. Sometimes used as flavoring in essential oil form.

Other
  • Timber for construction materials
  • Used as pulp for paper production
  • Natural insect repellent

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Essential oil

Symptoms: Large amounts may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing difficulties. Accidental ingestion of essential oil is particularly dangerous.

Tansy
Common Tansy Golden Buttons

Scientific Name: Tanacetum vulgare
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • I declare war against you
  • resistance
  • feminine virtue

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Tansy is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae family, distributed from Europe to Asia. It grows 50-150cm tall with deeply divided pinnate leaves with serrated edges. From mid to late summer, it produces dense clusters of yellow button-like flowers at the stem tips. It has a distinctive strong fragrance mixing sweetness and bitterness, and has been used since ancient times as medicinal herb, insect repellent, and dyeing herb. Currently considered toxic and not used for culinary or aromatherapy purposes, but serves as a companion plant for pest control.

Trivia

  • Used for embalming in medieval Europe
  • Referenced in Shakespeare's works, carrying literary significance
  • Used as military insect repellent during Napoleon's era
  • Hokkaido's Ezo-yomogigiku is designated as Vulnerable on the 2017 Ministry of Environment Red List

Uses

Ornamental
  • Dried flower arrangements
  • Naturalistic plantings in wildflower gardens
  • Historical garden restoration plantings
Medicinal
  • Used as medicinal herb in medieval times
  • Currently prohibited for medicinal use due to toxicity

Caution: Now known to be toxic; internal consumption must be absolutely avoided.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption due to toxicity.

Other
  • Natural dye for yellow and green coloring
  • Companion plant for pest control
  • Dried herb for ornamental purposes

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Severe

Toxic Parts: Entire plant, Especially leaves and flowers

Symptoms: Internal consumption may cause vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, and liver damage. Particularly dangerous for pregnant women.