December 06

Birth Flower

Bouvardia
Bouvardia Hummingbird Flower

Scientific Name: Bouvardia hybrida
Family: Rubiaceae

Flower Language

  • premonition
  • interaction
  • fantasy

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Bouvardia is an evergreen shrub in the Rubiaceae family native to tropical America, named after Bouvar, the royal gardener of Louis XIII. It is characterized by unique flowers with slender tubular petals that split into four parts and open in a cross shape, which gives it its Japanese name 'kantoji' (tube cross). The flowers bloom in clusters of 10-30 small blooms in rich colors including red, pink, yellow, orange, and white. With excellent vase life, it is treasured for bouquets and floral arrangements.

Trivia

  • Japanese name 'kantoji' refers to its tubular shape opening in cross form
  • Exceptional cut flower with vase life exceeding 2 weeks
  • One of few flowers named after a French royal gardener
  • Famous cultivation in Izu Oshima produces high-quality cut flowers

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers (bouquets and arrangements)
  • Potted plants (greenhouse cultivation)
  • Gardening (warm climates)
Medicinal
  • No known medicinal properties

Caution: No medicinal uses

Culinary

Not edible

Other
  • Breeding material for horticultural varieties
  • Commercial cultivation for cut flower industry

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: all parts

Symptoms: May cause mild gastrointestinal upset

Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia Crane Flower

Scientific Name: Strelitzia reginae
Family: Strelitziaceae

Flower Language

  • stylish lover
  • brilliant future
  • versatility

Characteristics

Colors: orange and blue-purple

Description

Strelitzia reginae is a perennial plant native to South Africa in the Strelitziaceae family, named for its beautiful flower form resembling a bird of paradise. From boat-shaped bracts emerge brilliant orange sepals and blue-purple petals that rise up like a bird spreading its wings. The large, thick leaves reminiscent of banana plants are also beautiful, making it enjoyable as a houseplant even when not blooming. It flowers from April to October, with spring and autumn being peak seasons.

Trivia

  • Only South African flower designated as official flower of Los Angeles
  • May take 4-5 years to begin flowering
  • Amazing vase life lasting about 2 weeks even without water
  • Popular as houseplant but actually flowering is challenging

Uses

Ornamental
  • Houseplant (indoor cultivation)
  • Cut flowers (luxury arrangements)
  • Garden tree (warm climates)
Medicinal
  • No known medicinal properties

Caution: No medicinal uses

Culinary

Not edible

Other
  • Breeding material for horticultural varieties
  • Tourist symbol of South Africa

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: seeds

Symptoms: Large consumption of seeds may cause mild gastrointestinal upset

Chinese Ixora
Ixora West Indian Jasmine Flame of the Woods

Scientific Name: Ixora chinensis
Family: Rubiaceae

Flower Language

  • gift from God
  • passionate feelings
  • lovely

Characteristics

Colors: red

Description

Ixora chinensis is an evergreen shrub in the Rubiaceae family native to southern China and the Malay Peninsula, introduced to Japan in the mid-Edo period. Small flowers about 2-3cm gather to form rounded, clustered inflorescences. While red is most common, there are also orange, yellow, and pink varieties. It blooms for an extended period from May to October and is resistant to summer heat. In Okinawa, it's called 'Sandanka' (three-stage flower) and has been cherished since ancient times with native species present.

Trivia

  • Designated as prefectural flower of Okinawa, symbolic flower of Okinawa
  • Scientific name 'Ixora' derives from Sanskrit 'Iswara' meaning Shiva
  • Named 'mountain red flower' due to its red color
  • Sometimes called 'thousand-day red' due to long blooming period

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden and street trees (warm climates)
  • Potted plant ornament
  • Hedgerows
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used in folk medicine for fever reduction and anti-inflammation

Caution: Self-medication is not recommended

Culinary

Not edible

Other
  • Nectar source plant (food for butterflies and birds)
  • Breeding material for horticultural varieties

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic

Downy Ground Cherry
Husk Cherry Strawberry Tomato Physalis

Scientific Name: Physalis pubescens
Family: Solanaceae

Flower Language

  • peace of mind
  • natural state
  • sincere heart

Characteristics

Colors: yellowish-white

Description

Physalis pubescens is an annual plant in the Solanaceae family native to tropical America, established as a naturalized plant in Japan. Growing 20-60cm tall, stems are erect then spread horizontally with dense fine hairs. Solitary flowers in leaf axils are cup-shaped, 6-8mm diameter, yellowish-white with purple spots inside. As the name suggests, it produces abundant fruits in clusters, and this species was reportedly sold at Asakusa Temple's ground cherry market in the past. It grows wild in roadsides, vacant lots, and farmland, flowering from August to October.

Trivia

  • This species was actually sold at Asakusa Temple's ground cherry market in Edo period
  • Long history of use as medicinal herb since Heian period
  • Different species from common ornamental ground cherry, with smaller fruits
  • Different from current edible ground cherry (physalis) varieties

Uses

Ornamental
  • Wildflower garden observation
  • Natural style gardens
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used in folk medicine for cough suppression and expectorant
  • Used for fever reduction and improving cold constitution

Caution: Contains alkaloids; pregnant women should avoid use. Medicinal use without expert guidance is dangerous.

Culinary

Not recommended for consumption (contains alkaloids)

Other
  • Research material for naturalized plant ecology
  • Academic research subject as historical plant

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: all parts, especially roots and stems

Symptoms: Contains alkaloids; dangerous for pregnant women due to uterine contraction effects. May cause gastrointestinal disorders in general.

Holly Olive
False Holly Holly-leaved Osmanthus

Scientific Name: Osmanthus heterophyllus
Family: Oleaceae

Flower Language

  • caution
  • protecting you
  • foresight

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

Osmanthus heterophyllus is an evergreen small tree native to Japan in the Oleaceae family, growing wild in Honshu west of Fukushima, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Its most distinctive feature is the spiny serrations on the edges of glossy dark green leaves, named after the stinging pain ('hiiragu'). Interestingly, the spiny leaves of young trees become rounded without spines as they age. It blooms clusters of small white flowers with sweet fragrance during the cold period from November to December. In Japan, it has been traditionally valued as a plant for warding off evil, displayed as 'hiiragi-iwashi' during Setsubun.

Trivia

  • Young tree leaves have spines that disappear as the tree ages
  • Setsubun holly-sardine custom based on belief that sardine smell and holly spines repel demons
  • Sweet flower fragrance is characteristic of Oleaceae family like sweet osmanthus
  • Over 1000 years of history as protective plant

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden trees and hedges
  • Protective decoration (Setsubun)
  • Bonsai
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used as topical medicine in folk therapy

Caution: Self-medication is not recommended

Culinary

Not edible

Other
  • Wood (seals and crafts)
  • Protective charms
  • Hedge plants

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic (but leaf spines may cause injury)

Strawberry Begonia
Creeping Saxifrage Mother of Thousands

Scientific Name: Saxifraga stolonifera
Family: Saxifragaceae

Flower Language

  • deep affection
  • universal love
  • loving heart

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

Saxifraga stolonifera is a perennial plant native to Japan, China, and Korea in the Saxifragaceae family, preferring moist, partially shaded locations. The round leaves, 3-8cm in diameter, have dark green surfaces with white veins and beautiful reddish-purple undersides. From April to May, it extends 20-50cm flower stems bearing distinctive flowers with 5 petals: the upper 3 are small with reddish-purple spots, while the lower 2 are large, white, and drooping. It's a vigorous plant that propagates by extending runners from the base and has been treasured as a medicinal herb since ancient times.

Trivia

  • Name derives from strong vitality maintaining greenery under snow
  • Treasured as 'universal medicine for children's injuries' in Edo period
  • Called 'mother plant' for its runner propagation
  • Still used as folk medicine in many households today

Uses

Ornamental
  • Shade gardens
  • Rock gardens
  • Ground cover
Medicinal
  • Topical treatment for burns and frostbite
  • Otitis media (leaf juice)
  • Diuretic and fever-reducing effects

Caution: While historically used safely, avoid large amounts without expert guidance

Culinary
  • young leaves
Other
  • Cultivation in medicinal herb gardens
  • Research material for traditional medicine

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic (safely used for food and medicine since ancient times)