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November Facts
Birth Flower: Chrysanthemum, Button Spray
Botanical Name: Dendranthema x grandiflorum
Pronunciation: den-DRAN-the-ma grand-I-FLOR-um
Availablity: year-round
Decorative Life: 7-14 days, some types last longer
About This Flower:
Chrysanthemums, which today are available in a great multitude of colors, shapes and sizes, are actually a result of generations of hybridization and cultivation. Blooms can be as small as 1 cm and as large as 25 cms. Button spray chrysanthemums, with several blooms per stem, display small flowers shaped like compact cushions. Like all members of the Chrysanthemum family, button spray chrysanthemums have a vase life of 7 to 14 days.
Birth Stone: Topaz
The name topaz is
derived from the Greek word meaning, 'to shine' and also implies fire.
Most think of topaz
as a transparent golden-yellow gemstone, however, this gemstone also occurs
colorless, red, blue, pink, honey-brown (dark sherry), and light green.
Topaz
holds the distinction of being the gemstone with the widest
range of curative powers. The Greeks felt it gave them strength. In
addition, it was supposed to have cooled tempers, restored sanity, cured
asthma, relieved insomnia, strengthened breathing, and even warded
off sudden death. Topaz
is said to prove the loyalty of associates by changing color in the presence
of poison.
Topaz is found mainly in Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and China.
As it is more readily available and less expensive, citrine is often used
as an alternative to topaz.