November 13

Birth Flower

Dendrobium
Dendrobium Orchid Noble Dendrobium

Scientific Name: Dendrobium nobile
Family: Orchidaceae

Flower Language

  • capricious beauty
  • enchantment
  • sincerity
  • beloved person

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Dendrobium is a perennial orchid from the Orchidaceae family distributed worldwide, primarily in Southeast Asia, and is one of the largest orchid genera with over 1,600 species. The name derives from Greek 'dendro' (tree) and 'bium' (living), named for its primarily epiphytic nature in the wild. Known as 'Sekkoku' (石斛) in Japan, it blooms mainly from March to May with diverse flower colors including white, pink, purple, and yellow. The morphology varies greatly, from small 3cm specimens to large ones reaching 2m in height. Its beauty has earned it the flower language 'capricious beauty,' and it continues to be beloved worldwide as an ornamental plant.

Trivia

  • Singapore's national flower, visible even at the airport
  • Historic genus named by Swedish botanist in 1799
  • So diverse that new species are still being discovered
  • Some species can grow on tree bark or rocks without soil

Uses

Ornamental
  • Potted plants (indoor ornamental)
  • Cut flowers (luxury floral material)
  • Corsages
  • Wedding bouquets
Medicinal
  • Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for nourishing yin and clearing heat
  • Applied for sore throat and fever
  • Helps regulate gastrointestinal function

Caution: Avoid medicinal use without expert knowledge; always consult medical professionals

Culinary

Ornamental plant not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Used as perfume ingredient
  • Research purposes (epiphyte ecology studies)
  • Educational purposes (horticultural education materials)

Toxicity

Symptoms:

Mountain Ash
Rowan Tree Japanese Rowan

Scientific Name: Sorbus commixta
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • prudence
  • wisdom
  • I will watch over you
  • caution

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Mountain Ash is a deciduous tree of the Rosaceae family native to cool temperate mountainous regions from Hokkaido to Kyushu. The name derives from the wood being so fire-resistant that it 'remains unburned even after seven times in the furnace.' In May, it produces compound corymbs of small white flowers at branch tips, followed by bright red berries in autumn. Its greatest charm is the autumn foliage, with leaves turning brilliant red in a scene representative of northern autumn. The extremely hard wood is used for lathe work and carving. Widely planted as street and park trees in Hokkaido and Tohoku regions, it's beloved as a representative landscape tree of cold regions.

Trivia

  • Beloved as Sapporo city's official tree
  • Wood so hard it's difficult to turn to charcoal even after seven furnace burnings
  • Famous as symbolic tree of Hokkaido University
  • Berries serve as important winter food source for wild birds

Uses

Ornamental
  • Street trees
  • Park trees
  • Garden trees
  • Bonsai
Medicinal
  • Bark used in folk medicine for diarrhea
  • Berries sometimes used for cough and fever relief

Caution: Raw berries may cause gastrointestinal distress, use with caution

Culinary
  • Berries (processed)
Other
  • Wood used for carving
  • Lathe work material
  • Substitute for premium charcoal
  • Used as natural dye

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Berries (when raw)

Symptoms: Large amounts of raw berries may cause gastrointestinal upset

Anthurium
Tailflower Flamingo Flower Laceleaf

Scientific Name: Anthurium andreanum
Family: Araceae

Flower Language

  • passion
  • impressive
  • heart burning with love
  • passion
  • unadorned beauty
  • enthusiasm

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Anthurium is a perennial from the Araceae family native to tropical America and the West Indies, with over 600 species. The name derives from Greek 'anthos' (flower) and 'oura' (tail), referring to the tail-like spadix. What's commonly thought to be the flower is actually a heart-shaped 'spathe' - a modified leaf, while the true flowers are tiny and densely packed on the central spike-like spadix. Colors include red, pink, white, green and more, providing year-round blooming. Popular both as houseplants and cut flowers, they brighten interiors with their vibrant colors and unique shapes.

Trivia

  • Certified as air-purifying plant by NASA research
  • Red part commonly thought to be flower is actually modified leaf
  • Can bloom continuously year-round in proper conditions
  • Popular flower material used in Hawaiian lei making

Uses

Ornamental
  • Houseplants (indoor decoration)
  • Cut flowers (luxury floral material)
  • Bridal bouquets
  • Tropical gardens
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used in folk remedies for skin conditions
  • Believed to have detoxifying properties in traditional medicine

Caution: Contains calcium oxalate crystals; handle with care and avoid medicinal use

Culinary

Contains toxic compounds; completely unsuitable for consumption

Other
  • Air purification effects (removing indoor pollutants)
  • Humidity regulation effects
  • Interior design materials

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: All parts, Especially leaves and stems

Symptoms: Calcium oxalate crystals may cause oral irritation, swelling, and difficulty swallowing