November 24

Birth Flower

Cattleya
Corsage Orchid Queen of Orchids

Scientific Name: Cattleya labiata
Family: Orchidaceae

Flower Language

  • graceful lady
  • magic power
  • charming
  • mature adult charm

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Cattleya is an epiphytic orchid from the Cattleya genus native to the forests near the Andes Mountains in Central and South America. It was cultivated by British horticulturist W. Cattley in the 19th century and named after him. Known as the 'Queen of Orchids' or 'Queen of Flowers' for its elegant, dignified appearance and fragrance. It has thick leaves and swollen stems called pseudobulbs, with varieties ranging from large-flowered to miniature types. Flower colors include white, pink, purple, yellow and more, with blooming periods divided into four types: spring, early summer, autumn, and winter depending on the variety. A premium ornamental plant that produces beautiful flowers when maintained at optimal temperatures of 15-28°C.

Trivia

  • Named after British horticulturist W. Cattley in the 19th century
  • Designated as national flower of Brazil and Colombia
  • Long-lived plant that can survive over 50 years in proper conditions
  • Single flowers can bloom for 2-8 weeks

Uses

Ornamental
  • Potted plants
  • Cut flowers
  • Corsages
  • Bouquets
  • Luxury decorations
Medicinal
  • No specific medicinal properties

Caution: For ornamental purposes only, not suitable for medicinal use

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Fragrance industry applications
  • Horticultural education material
  • Subject of breeding research

Toxicity

Symptoms:

Linden Viburnum
Japanese Bush Cranberry Viburnum

Scientific Name: Viburnum dilatatum
Family: Adoxaceae

Flower Language

  • unity
  • don't ignore me
  • love is stronger than death

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Linden Viburnum is a deciduous shrub from the Viburnum genus native to Japan, Korea, and China. Growing 2-6m tall, it naturally occurs in bright forests and grasslands of mountains and hills. In spring (March-May), it produces small white flowers in clusters at branch tips, followed by beautiful ruby-red jewel-like fruits in autumn. The fruits are edible with sour taste and used for making fruit wines. It also provides beautiful autumn foliage, making it valuable for year-round ornamental purposes. Easy to cultivate, it prefers sunny locations with good drainage and grows well in most soils except clay.

Trivia

  • Name derives from 'gama-zome' (cattail dyeing) historical use
  • Important food source for wild birds, contributing to ecosystem
  • Fruit wine also used in folk medicine
  • Representative tree that colors autumn mountains and fields

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden trees
  • Park trees
  • Hedges
  • Bonsai
Medicinal
  • Fruits used in folk medicine for stomach ailments
  • Bark used as astringent

Caution: Medicinal use requires expert knowledge

Culinary
  • Fruits
Other
  • Important bird food source
  • Contributes to ecosystem conservation
  • Used as natural dye

Toxicity

Symptoms:

African Violet
Saintpaulia Usambara Violet

Scientific Name: Saintpaulia ionantha
Family: Gesneriaceae

Flower Language

  • small love
  • delicate love
  • sympathy

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Saintpaulia is a perennial plant from the Saintpaulia genus discovered in 1892 in the Usambara Mountains of Tanzania. Named after its discoverer, German Baron Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire. Characterized by velvety, thick leaves and short stems, it produces elegant violet-like flowers year-round. Through extensive breeding, over 15,000 varieties now exist with diverse flower colors including purple, pink, white, and blue, and various forms like single, double, and frilled blooms. Easy to cultivate indoors when maintained at optimal temperatures of 18-25°C, it's a popular houseplant due to its compact size and minimal space requirements.

Trivia

  • Over 15,000 varieties exist
  • Can be grown using only plant-growing LED lights
  • Easily propagated through leaf cuttings
  • One of the most popular houseplants in America

Uses

Ornamental
  • Potted plants
  • Indoor houseplants
  • Miniature gardens
  • Terrariums
Medicinal
  • No specific medicinal properties

Caution: For ornamental purposes only, not suitable for medicinal use

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Horticultural education material
  • Test subject for plant-growing LED lights
  • Research material for plant breeding

Toxicity

Symptoms:

Fragrant Olive
Sweet Osmanthus Golden Osmanthus

Scientific Name: Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus
Family: Oleaceae

Flower Language

  • modesty
  • humility
  • noble person
  • truth

Characteristics

Colors: orange

Description

Fragrant Olive is an evergreen tree from the Osmanthus genus native to China. It produces numerous small orange flowers about 1cm in diameter from September to October, releasing a strong sweet fragrance over a wide area. Named 'Kinmokusei' (golden osmanthus) because the flowers appear to shine like gold and the bark resembles rhinoceros skin. Growing 3-6m tall with glossy, oval-shaped evergreen leaves. Introduced to Japan during the Edo period, it's now beloved as an autumn seasonal symbol. Dioecious species, but only male plants exist in Japan, so propagation is through cuttings. Widely planted as park trees, street trees, and garden trees.

Trivia

  • Only male plants exist in Japan, producing no fruits
  • Fragrance said to travel up to 1km away
  • Important ingredient for osmanthus wine and tea in China
  • Introduced to Japan through Satsuma domain during Edo period

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden trees
  • Street trees
  • Park trees
  • Hedges
Medicinal
  • Flowers used in traditional Chinese medicine for cough relief
  • Bark used for stomach pain treatment

Caution: Medicinal use requires expert knowledge

Culinary
  • Flowers
Other
  • Fragrance industry applications
  • Air freshener ingredients
  • Cosmetic fragrance

Toxicity

Symptoms: