November 21

Birth Flower

Ginkgo
Maidenhair Tree Living Fossil Tree

Scientific Name: Ginkgo biloba
Family: Ginkgoaceae

Flower Language

  • majesty
  • longevity
  • repose of soul

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Ginkgo is a gymnosperm native to China, known as a 'living fossil' as the only surviving species that has existed for about 150 million years. Growing up to 30m tall, this deciduous tree has characteristic fan-shaped leaves. It's dioecious, producing flowers without petals in spring and bearing seeds called ginkgo nuts on female trees in autumn. Widely planted as street and park trees in Japan, it's resistant to fire and pollution. Known for beautiful autumn yellow foliage, ancient trees over 1000 years old can be found throughout the country. The leaves contain terpene compounds believed to improve blood circulation, making them valuable for medicinal use.

Trivia

  • Only surviving species in the Ginkgoales order
  • Symbol of vitality for surviving Hiroshima atomic bomb
  • Adopted in University of Tokyo emblem and Tokyo metropolitan symbol
  • Ancient trees over 1000 years old exist throughout the country

Uses

Ornamental
  • Street trees
  • Park trees
  • Garden trees
  • Bonsai
Medicinal
  • Leaf extracts used for blood circulation improvement
  • Believed to enhance memory function
  • Used for anti-aging due to antioxidant properties

Caution: Medical use requires professional supervision; large doses may cause side effects

Culinary
  • Ginkgo nuts (seeds)
Other
  • Wood used for construction and furniture
  • Popular material for cutting boards
  • Craft material
  • Cultural symbol used in various designs

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Ginkgo nuts (in large quantities), Raw leaves

Symptoms: Large amounts of ginkgo nuts may cause gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms

Bellflower
Campanula Canterbury Bells Dalmatian Bellflower

Scientific Name: Campanula portenschlagiana
Family: Campanulaceae

Flower Language

  • gratitude
  • faithfulness
  • pleasant conversation

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Bellflower is a perennial herb from the Campanula genus native to Eastern Europe. Growing 10-15cm tall, it produces numerous small bell-shaped flowers 1-2cm in diameter from April to July. Flower colors include blue, purple, and white, named 'Bellflower' because the flower shape resembles church bells. The scientific name 'Campanula' means 'little bell' in Latin. In Japan, it's also known as 'Otome-gikyo' (maiden bellflower) or 'wind chime grass.' Cold-hardy but somewhat sensitive to summer heat, it's ideal for hanging baskets and container gardens, offering long-lasting blooms despite its compact size.

Trivia

  • Scientific name Campanula means 'little bell' in Latin
  • Believed to have protective powers against evil in Europe
  • Downward-facing flowers are naturally rain-resistant
  • Offers long blooming period despite compact size

Uses

Ornamental
  • Hanging baskets
  • Container gardens
  • Potted plants
  • Rock gardens
Medicinal
  • Traditionally used for throat ailments in Europe

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

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Horticultural education material
  • Plant observation subject
  • Dried flower material

Toxicity

Symptoms:

Lantana
Wild Sage Yellow Sage Shrub Verbena

Scientific Name: Lantana camara
Family: Verbenaceae

Flower Language

  • fickleness
  • cooperation
  • strictness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Lantana is an evergreen shrub from the Lantana genus native to Central and South America. From May to November, it produces dense flower clusters 2-3cm in diameter. Its main characteristic is the color-changing flowers that transform from yellow to orange to red over time, earning the name 'seven changes' (Shichihenge). Growing 30-150cm tall with downward-pointing thorns on stems, it blooms year-round in warm regions and serves as an important nectar source attracting butterflies and insects. However, due to its strong reproductive capacity, it's now listed among the world's 100 worst invasive alien species. The berries are toxic and require caution.

Trivia

  • Listed among world's 100 worst invasive alien species
  • Single flower cluster can show up to 7 color changes
  • Listed in Japan's ecosystem damage prevention alien species list
  • Blooms year-round in warm regions

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden planting
  • Potted plants
  • Hedges
  • Border planting
Medicinal
  • Traditionally used for fever and skin diseases in tropical regions

Caution: Berries and leaves are toxic; medicinal effects unproven, use prohibited

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption (toxic)

Other
  • Butterfly nectar source
  • Subject of ecological research
  • Educational material for invasive species

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Berries (seeds), Leaves

Symptoms: Gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea from lantanin

Oxalis
Wood Sorrel Shamrock Sourgrass

Scientific Name: Oxalis bowiei
Family: Oxalidaceae

Flower Language

  • radiant heart
  • heart's echo
  • joy
  • mother's tenderness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Oxalis comprises 800-850 species in the Oxalidaceae family distributed worldwide. Mainly species from tropical America and South Africa are cultivated horticulturally. Characterized by distinctive three-leaflet compound leaves, it produces 5-petaled flowers 2-3cm in diameter from autumn to spring. Flower colors vary including pink, white, yellow, and purple, closing on cloudy or rainy days. With underground bulbs and strong reproductive capacity, once planted it provides annual blooms. Leaves contain oxalic acid, historically used for metal polishing. Garden oxalis and weedy wood sorrel belong to the same genus despite different treatment.

Trivia

  • Used to polish metal mirrors in ancient Egypt
  • Ireland's national flower shamrock is a type of oxalis
  • Flowers perform 'sleep movement' closing in afternoon
  • Large genus with over 800 species worldwide

Uses

Ornamental
  • Potted plants
  • Garden planting
  • Ground cover
  • Rock gardens
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used in folk medicine for anti-inflammatory effects
  • Used as vitamin C source

Caution: Contains oxalic acid; avoid large amounts, prohibited for those prone to kidney stones

Culinary
  • Young leaves
  • Flowers
Other
  • Ancient metal polish
  • Horticultural education material
  • Subject for photosensitivity research

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves (oxalic acid)

Symptoms: Large consumption may cause gastrointestinal symptoms and kidney stone risk from oxalic acid

Crown of Thorns
Christ Plant Kiss Me Quick

Scientific Name: Euphorbia milii
Family: Euphorbiaceae

Flower Language

  • pure love
  • independence
  • enduring adversity

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Crown of Thorns is a succulent from the Euphorbia genus native to Madagascar. Growing 20-100cm tall, stems have numerous sharp thorns about 2cm long. The 'flowers' blooming from spring to autumn are actually bracts, with tiny true flowers at the center. Bract colors vary including red, pink, white, and yellow, forming characteristic cyathia typical of Euphorbiaceae. Oval leaves cluster near stem tips, falling from older stems leaving only thorns. The English name 'Crown of Thorns' derives from its resemblance to Christ's crown of thorns. It blooms year-round indoors, drought-tolerant and easy to grow, making it a popular houseplant. The toxic sap requires careful handling.

Trivia

  • English name derives from Christ's crown of thorns
  • Rare succulent that blooms year-round indoors
  • Madagascar endemic growing over 2m in native habitat
  • Colorful parts are bracts; true flowers are tiny central parts

Uses

Ornamental
  • Houseplants
  • Potted plants
  • Garden planting (warm regions)
  • Bonsai
Medicinal
  • Traditionally used for skin diseases in Madagascar

Caution: Medical use dangerous due to toxic sap; requires expert knowledge

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption (toxic)

Other
  • Cultivated as religious symbol
  • Drought-resistant garden plant
  • Educational plant specimen

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Sap, All parts

Symptoms: Sap causes dermatitis; severe inflammation and pain if contacts eyes or mouth

Joseph's Coat
Amaranth Love-lies-bleeding Tricolor Amaranth

Scientific Name: Amaranthus tricolor
Family: Amaranthaceae

Flower Language

  • immortality
  • passion
  • everlasting love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Joseph's Coat is a spring-sown annual from the Amaranthus genus native to tropical Asia. Growing 50-150cm tall and 25-60cm wide, it features characteristic lanceolate leaves. Initially green, the upper leaves transform into vivid red, yellow, and green colors from late summer, becoming more beautiful with cold weather. Flowers cluster at leaf bases but remain inconspicuous, hidden by foliage. With cultivation history from Song Dynasty in China and early Edo period in Japan, it's a traditional garden plant. The intense leaf colors and long ornamental period make it important for autumn flower beds. Hardy and easy to grow but dislikes transplanting.

Trivia

  • Historic plant cultivated in Japan since early Edo period
  • Unusual ornamental plant valued for leaves rather than flowers
  • English name Joseph's Coat derives from biblical coat of many colors
  • Hardy and easy to grow but dislikes transplanting

Uses

Ornamental
  • Autumn flower beds
  • Container gardens
  • Cut foliage
  • Dried flowers
Medicinal
  • Traditionally used as medicinal herb in some regions

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

Culinary
  • Young leaves (subspecies)
Other
  • Horticultural education material
  • Plant observation subject
  • Autumn decoration material

Toxicity

Symptoms: