November 20

Birth Flower

Leopard Plant
Green Leopard Plant Japanese Groundsel

Scientific Name: Farfugium japonicum
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • modesty
  • not defeated by difficulties

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Leopard Plant is a perennial evergreen plant from the Farfugium genus, distributed from the Pacific side of Honshu (south of Fukushima Prefecture) to Kyushu, Southwest Islands, Korean Peninsula, Southeast China, and Taiwan. From October to December, it extends flower stems up to 70cm and blooms bright yellow flowers. It naturally grows in rocky coastal areas, cliffs, and shaded areas of hills, with thick, glossy leaves resembling butterbur. The name derives from 'glossy-leaved butterbur' or 'thick-leaved butterbur,' and the Chinese characters '石蕗' refer to its growth on rocks and resemblance to butterbur. Young leaf stalks are edible and are processed into tsukudani called 'kyarabuki' especially in Kyushu.

Trivia

  • Kyushu's kyarabuki is famous as a regional specialty
  • Leaf shapes vary slightly by region
  • Valuable nectar source plant in late autumn when flowers are scarce
  • Used as New Year's dish ingredient in Okinawa

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden plant (shade planting)
  • Park landscaping
  • Potted plants
  • Cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Dried rhizome used as stomach medicine
  • Leaves with antibacterial properties used as external medicine
  • Used in folk medicine for bruises and burns treatment

Caution: Folk medicinal effects not scientifically proven; do not use without expert knowledge

Culinary
  • Young leaf stalks
Other
  • Horticultural education material
  • Ecological observation subject
  • Coastal vegetation plant

Toxicity

Symptoms:

Japanese Snake Gourd
Crow Gourd Red Gourd

Scientific Name: Trichosanthes cucumeroides
Family: Cucurbitaceae

Flower Language

  • good news
  • sincerity
  • male aversion

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Japanese Snake Gourd is a perennial vine from the Trichosanthes genus native to Japan, Taiwan, and China. It has underground tubers and grows by clinging to other plants with tendrils. It produces beautiful white flowers from July to September at night, characterized by petals with finely divided lace-like tips. Being dioecious, flowers open in the evening and wither by morning. In autumn, it produces vermillion-red oval fruits containing characteristic seeds shaped like mallets or mantis heads. The flower language 'good news' derives from these seeds resembling tied letters.

Trivia

  • Seeds called 'mantis head' for their resemblance to mantis heads
  • Also called 'night flower' for blooming at night
  • Both male and female plants needed for fruiting due to dioecious nature
  • Vines can reach several meters in length

Uses

Ornamental
  • Climbing vine for hedges and fences
  • Autumn fruit appreciation
  • Cut flowers (fruiting branches)
  • Dried flowers
Medicinal
  • Fruit juice applied externally for cracks and chaps
  • Root used as diuretic medicine called 'ogakkon'
  • Used as cosmetic lotion ingredient

Caution: Folk medicinal use requires expert knowledge; fruits are too bitter for consumption

Culinary
  • Young leaves (small amounts)
Other
  • Ecological education material
  • Seeds used for craft materials
  • Autumn decorations

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Fruits (when consumed in large quantities)

Symptoms: Large consumption of fruits may cause indigestion due to bitterness

Queen of the Night
Night-blooming Cereus Dutchman's Pipe Cactus

Scientific Name: Epiphyllum oxypetalum
Family: Cactaceae

Flower Language

  • longing to meet just once
  • glamorous beauty
  • fleeting love

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

Queen of the Night is a forest epiphytic cactus from the Epiphyllum genus native to Mexico's tropical rainforests. From July to November, it produces beautiful pure white flowers about 12cm in diameter at night, emitting a strong sweet fragrance. The flowers begin opening in the evening, reach full bloom at midnight, and wither by morning, famous as a one-night-only flower. The stems are flattened leaf-like cladodes resembling kelp with wavy edges. The Japanese name 'Gekkabiijin' (Moon Beauty) originated when the then Crown Prince (later Emperor Showa) was impressed by the flower's beauty in Taiwan, and the resident ambassador replied 'It is a beauty under the moon.'

Trivia

  • Considered lucky to witness blooming
  • Strong fragrance often alerts to blooming
  • Called 'Queen of the Night' for wilting in one night
  • Called 'Tanhua' in Taiwan

Uses

Ornamental
  • Houseplants
  • Greenhouse cultivation
  • Night garden plants
  • Flower viewing parties
Medicinal
  • Used in folk medicine since ancient times
  • Flowers used as medicinal tea

Caution: Medicinal effects not scientifically proven; do not use without expert knowledge

Culinary
  • Flowers (after blooming)
  • Ripe fruits
Other
  • Fragrance industry material
  • Horticultural collectors' items
  • Plant observation educational material

Toxicity

Symptoms:

Winter Cosmos
Bidens Beggarticks

Scientific Name: Bidens laevis
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • patience
  • love you again

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Winter Cosmos is an annual plant from the Bidens genus native to Mexico and North America. From October to January, it produces yellow or white flowers 2-3cm in diameter with 5 petals resembling cosmos. There are upright and trailing types, and it's a hardy plant that's easy to grow. Though not a true cosmos relative, it's called 'Winter Cosmos' for its cosmos-like flowers blooming in winter. About 200 species are distributed worldwide, characterized by very strong reproductive capacity. It's so hardy that it can become weedy in sunny locations, being cold-resistant and providing long-lasting flowers.

Trivia

  • Not a true cosmos relative but has similar flower shape
  • Large genus with about 200 species worldwide
  • Seeds have barbs and disperse by attaching to animals and humans
  • Relatively new ornamental plant in Japan

Uses

Ornamental
  • Bedding plants
  • Potted plants
  • Hanging baskets
  • Cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used in folk medicine in North America

Caution: Medicinal effects not scientifically proven; do not use without expert knowledge

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Horticultural education material
  • Nectar source for insects
  • Landscaping plant

Toxicity

Symptoms:

Carnation
Clove Pink Grenadine

Scientific Name: Dianthus caryophyllus
Family: Caryophyllaceae

Flower Language

  • affection
  • pure love
  • gratitude

Characteristics

Colors: red

Description

Carnation is a perennial plant from the Dianthus genus native to Mediterranean coastal regions and West Asia. Current carnations are hybrids of Dutch Pink and China Pink, with breeding progressing in Europe since the 17th century. Flowers are 3-8.5cm in diameter with sweet clove-like fragrance. Petals have characteristic serrated edges, with colors including red, pink, white, yellow, and more. Classified into Standard type (single bloom) and Spray type (branched with multiple blooms), widely used as cut flowers worldwide. Particularly famous as Mother's Day flower, representing gratitude and affection.

Trivia

  • One of the most produced cut flowers worldwide
  • Over 300 varieties existed in 17th century
  • Introduced to Japan from Netherlands during Edo period
  • Mother's Day symbol flower originated in America

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Bouquets
  • Flower arrangements
  • Potted plants
  • Bedding plants
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used in folk medicine in Europe

Caution: Medicinal effects not scientifically proven; do not use without expert knowledge

Culinary
  • Petals
Other
  • Fragrance industry applications
  • Cosmetic fragrance ingredient
  • Horticultural education material

Toxicity

Symptoms: