ezotakanenigana
Asteraceae (composite family)
Crepis gymnopus
- Physical characteristics:
- This perennial grows to approximately 40 cm in height. The leaves, located near the base, have prominent serrations. The capitulum (flower head) blooms upward and consists entirely of ligulate (strap-shaped) flowers. The involucre is tubular.
- Blooming period:
- June to early July
- Habitat:
- from along mid-slope hiking trails to upper rocky areas
- Other information:
- a quasi-endemic species
- Japanese name origin:
- The “takane,” meaning “high peak,” indicates that the flower blooms in alpine regions of Hokkaido. The plant’s group is called “nigana” (“bitter greens”) because the stem tastes bitter when chewed.