Kinugasa japonica




Family Melanthiaceae (also placed in Liliaceae)
Scientific name Kinugasa japonica (Franchet & Savatier) Tatewaki & C. Sutô
Synonyms Paris japonica (Franchet & Savatier) Franchet
Common name (Japanese common name) kinugasa-sou (キヌガサソウ, 衣笠草 [meaning: silk umbrella weed])
(English common name) none
Distribution (Japan) Honshu (north of Central region)
(Other nations) none
Habitat Alpine wet field
Chromosomal number 2n=40 (8x)
Description Plants electing 35-75cm tall. Leaves 7-10 verticillate, leaflets each 15-25cm long. Flowers single, pedicels 3.5-7cm long, 7-9 outer perianths each 2.5-3cm long, inner perianths 10-15mm long, stamens many 10-13mm long, flowering in May to August. Fruits ca. 2mm long. Perennial plants.
Note Endemic to Japan.



July 2008
at Alpine Botanical Garden
in Yuzawa Highland