December 13

Birth Flower

Cattleya
Corsage orchid Queen of orchids

Scientific Name: Cattleya labiata
Family: Orchidaceae

Flower Language

  • Elegant woman
  • Magic power
  • Mature adult charm

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Cattleya is an epiphytic orchid native to tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America, beloved as the queen of orchids. It has thick leaves and bulbs (pseudobulbs) that store water and nutrients, making it drought-resistant. The flowers emit a pleasant fragrance and come in a rich variety of colors including white, red, pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, and brown. It was named after William Cattley, the British horticulturist who first successfully cultivated cattleya.

Trivia

  • William Cattley's first successful cattleya bloom was actually accidental
  • Featured on postage stamps in Colombia
  • Popular material for leis in Hawaii
  • One of the most expensive orchid varieties in the world

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Potted plants
  • Corsages
Medicinal

Caution: Not commonly used for medicinal purposes

Culinary

Not for culinary use

Other
  • Fragrance ingredient
  • Decorative floral material

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity

Cymbidium
Boat orchid

Scientific Name: Cymbidium hybridum
Family: Orchidaceae

Flower Language

  • Noble woman
  • Elegant woman
  • Glamorous love

Characteristics

Colors: Pink

Description

Cymbidium is an orchid native to Southeast Asia and Australia, known as one of the world's four major orchids. The scientific name derives from Greek 'cymbes' (boat) and 'eidos' (form), named for the boat-like shape of the labellum. The flowers last well, providing enjoyment for over a month, and come in various colors including white, pink, red, yellow, orange, green, brown, and multicolored varieties. Popular in households as it can be cultivated without a greenhouse.

Trivia

  • Has the interesting feature of changing center color as flowers finish blooming
  • Beloved as Singapore's national flower
  • Loved by scholars as gentleman's orchid in ancient China
  • One of the most diverse orchid genera in the world

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Potted plants
  • New Year decorations
Medicinal
  • Fever reduction in traditional Chinese medicine
  • Cough suppression effects

Caution: Use under professional guidance

Culinary

Generally not for culinary use

Other
  • Enjoying fragrance
  • Main feature in arrangements

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity

Dendrobium
Tree orchid

Scientific Name: Dendrobium nobile
Family: Orchidaceae

Flower Language

  • Selfish beauty
  • Natural elegance
  • Thoughtfulness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Dendrobium is an orchid of the family Orchidaceae, genus Dendrobium, native to Southeast Asia and eastern Australia. The scientific name combines 'dendron' (tree) and 'bion' (life), referring to its epiphytic growth on other trees in the wild. With over 1,000 native species, it's extremely diverse. It features succulent, rod-like stems with several leaves arranged at each node. Flower colors are varied including pink, red, orange, white, blue, and yellow, mainly blooming from February to October.

Trivia

  • One of the most diverse orchids with over 1,000 native species
  • Also beloved as Thailand's national flower
  • Used as symbol of 'Aloha' in Hawaii
  • Some varieties bloom year-round

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Potted plants
  • Leis
Medicinal
  • Tonic effects in traditional Chinese medicine
  • Fever reduction

Caution: Use under professional guidance

Culinary

Generally not for culinary use

Other
  • Ornamental purposes
  • Enjoying fragrance

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity

Chrysanthemum
Mum

Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum morifolium
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • Dreams come true
  • Victory in love
  • Affection
  • Nobility

Characteristics

Colors: Purple-red

Description

Chrysanthemum is one of Japan's representative flowers, originally believed to have been introduced from China. It's classified by flower size into large, medium, and small chrysanthemums, and broadly divided into classical and Western varieties. Flower diameters range from under 9cm for small chrysanthemums to over 20cm for large ones. Purple-red chrysanthemums express nobility and affection, and being used in the imperial crest, they are deeply rooted in Japanese culture. While naturally blooming in autumn, they are now cultivated year-round.

Trivia

  • One of Japan's national flowers, used in the imperial crest
  • Tradition of drinking chrysanthemum wine during the Chrysanthemum Festival
  • Edible chrysanthemums are mainly yellow and purple varieties
  • Treasured as elixir of immortality in China

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Potted plants
  • Garden planting
Medicinal
  • Fever reduction
  • Anti-inflammatory effects
  • Eye fatigue improvement

Caution: Caution needed for those with allergies

Culinary
  • Petals
  • Leaves
Other
  • Chrysanthemum tea
  • Dye
  • Insect repellent

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Stems, Leaves (some varieties)

Symptoms: May cause skin irritation upon contact. Do not eat varieties other than edible chrysanthemums.