December 31

Birth Flower

Winter Chrysanthemum
Late-flowering Chrysanthemum Cold Weather Chrysanthemum

Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum indicum var. hibernum
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • True strength
  • Admirable appearance
  • Delicate

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Winter chrysanthemums refer to late-blooming varieties that flower in winter, as opposed to ordinary chrysanthemums that bloom in autumn. Both flowers and leaves are small, and they are frost-resistant, producing yellow or white flowers from December to January of the following year. The flower language of 'admirable appearance' and 'true strength' comes from the dignified appearance of these flowers blooming firmly despite swaying in the cold wind during the harsh winter season when few flowers bloom.

Trivia

  • Chrysanthemum breeding has been practiced since the Heian period, with thousands of varieties now existing
  • The history of chrysanthemum dolls began in the Edo period, and chrysanthemum festivals are held in various regions
  • The number of chrysanthemum petals varies by variety, from single to thousand-fold blooms
  • The Japanese 50-yen coin features a chrysanthemum design

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used as precious cut flowers in winter
  • Cultivated for winter garden color
  • Indoor decoration as bonsai or potted plants
Medicinal
  • Used in traditional Chinese medicine for fever reduction and anti-inflammatory effects
  • Relief for eye fatigue and congestion
  • Blood pressure lowering effects

Caution: Avoid use during pregnancy and caution needed for those with allergies

Culinary
  • Petals
  • Young leaves
Other
  • Source of natural insecticide with pest control effects
  • Used as fragrance material

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Whole plant (when consumed in large quantities)

Symptoms: May cause dermatitis or mild gastrointestinal upset

Stock
Garden Stock Gillyflower Ten-week Stock

Scientific Name: Matthiola incana
Family: Brassicaceae

Flower Language

  • Eternal bonds of love
  • Eternal beauty
  • Trust me
  • Thoughtfulness
  • Generous affection

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Stock is a Mediterranean-origin flower of the Brassicaceae family, with double-flowered varieties being particularly popular. Characterized by its sweet fragrance, it produces many flowers on a single stem, making it ideal for cut flowers and arrangements. It has good flower longevity and long-lasting fragrance. In Japan, it has been used as a familiar cut flower since before the war, and in recent years it has gained popularity in gardening as well.

Trivia

  • The scientific name comes from the 16th-century Italian botanist Mattioli
  • Various forms exist from single to double flowers through breeding
  • The flower fragrance becomes stronger at night
  • Affectionately known as 'Gillyflower' in Europe

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
  • Cultivation in flower beds and containers
  • Popular as bridal flowers
Medicinal
  • Traditionally used for cough suppression and throat pain relief
  • Improvement of digestive system disorders
  • External use for reducing skin inflammation

Caution: Mainly ornamental in modern times, medicinal use requires expert guidance

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Used as fragrance in soaps and cosmetics
  • Popular as dried flowers

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Whole plant

Symptoms: May cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested

Casa Blanca Lily
Oriental Lily White Oriental Lily

Scientific Name: Lilium 'Casa Blanca'
Family: Liliaceae

Flower Language

  • Purity
  • Blessing
  • Nobility
  • Magnificent beauty

Characteristics

Colors: White

Description

Casa Blanca is a lily cultivar developed in the Netherlands in the 1970s, known as the 'Queen of Lilies' for its pure white large flowers. The flower diameter can reach 20cm and it emits a strong fragrance. It is a representative variety of Oriental Hybrids based on Japanese native species such as Yamayuri, Kanoko lily, and Tamoto lily. Beloved worldwide for its beauty and elegance, it blooms from June to August with characteristic downward-facing flowers.

Trivia

  • The variety name comes from the Moroccan city of Casablanca
  • Based on lilies exported from Japan during the Meiji period
  • One Casa Blanca stem typically produces 3-5 flowers
  • Removing pollen improves flower longevity and prevents staining clothes

Uses

Ornamental
  • Luxury cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
  • Bridal flowers for weddings
  • Garden cultivation for summer flower beds
Medicinal
  • Lily bulbs used for food and medicine (other varieties)
  • Used in traditional Chinese medicine for cough suppression and tonic effects

Caution: Casa Blanca itself is mainly ornamental, medicinal use involves other varieties

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption as it's an ornamental variety

Other
  • Used as ingredient in luxury perfumes
  • Flower essence for aromatherapy

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Severe

Toxic Parts: Whole plant (especially bulbs)

Symptoms: Particularly toxic to cats, potentially causing kidney failure

Sarcandra
Thousand Liang Red-berry Sarcandra

Scientific Name: Sarcandra glabra
Family: Chloranthaceae

Flower Language

  • Profit
  • Blessing
  • Wealth
  • Fortune

Characteristics

Colors: Red

Description

Sarcandra is an evergreen small shrub native to East Asia, growing to about 50-80cm in height. It is known for its glossy, leathery leaves and beautiful red berries that appear at the stem tips in winter. The flowers are extremely simple, producing small yellow-green flowers from June to July without perianth. It has been beloved as a New Year decoration since ancient times and is cherished as an auspicious plant under the name 'Senryo' (thousand liang). The name comes from having fewer berries compared to Manryo (ten thousand liang).

Trivia

  • Has relatives called Manryo (ten thousand liang), Hyakuryo (hundred liang), and Juryo (ten liang)
  • Berries are usually red, but rare varieties with yellow berries exist
  • Monoecious plant with both pistils and stamens in one flower
  • The Edo period had 'senryo-bako' (thousand-ryo boxes) for storing gold coins, considered one origin of the name

Uses

Ornamental
  • New Year ikebana and decorations
  • Understory planting in gardens
  • Indoor decoration as potted plants
Medicinal
  • Roots and stems used in traditional Chinese medicine
  • Relief for arthritis and muscle pain
  • Blood circulation promotion effects

Caution: Avoid self-medication and seek professional guidance for medicinal use

Culinary

Berries are toxic and not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Red pigment extracted for dyeing purposes
  • Highly valued material for flower arrangement

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Berries, Seeds

Symptoms: Ingestion can cause digestive symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain

Hinoki Cypress
Japanese Cypress Chamaecyparis

Scientific Name: Chamaecyparis obtusa
Family: Cupressaceae

Flower Language

  • Immortality
  • Immortal

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Hinoki is an endemic Japanese evergreen coniferous tree that grows to about 30m in height. It has a distinctive fragrance and its wood is considered the highest quality building material. The wood is white with a reddish tint, easy to process, dense, stable, and rich in water and decay resistance. It has been used in the construction of shrines and temples since ancient times, including important structures like Horyu-ji and Ise Shrine. Ancient trees over 2,000 years old exist, and their longevity gave rise to the flower language of 'immortality' and 'immortal'.

Trivia

  • Ise Shrine is rebuilt with Hinoki every 20 years in the Shikinen Sengu ceremony
  • Hinoki was used in Horyu-ji, the world's oldest wooden architecture
  • The fragrant component of Hinoki is called 'Hinokitiol'
  • Ancient trees over 1000 years old still exist throughout Japan

Uses

Ornamental
  • Planted as garden trees
  • Cultivated as bonsai
  • Material for flower arrangement
Medicinal
  • Essential oil extracted from leaves for aromatherapy
  • Antibacterial and insect repellent effects
  • Relaxation effects

Caution: Those with allergies should consult a doctor before use

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption (timber use only)

Other
  • Luxury building material for shrine and temple construction
  • Material for furniture and crafts
  • Used as bath additives

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Pollen

Symptoms: May cause hay fever symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes)