Mt Takao is located at the borderline of warm-temperature zone and cool-temperature zone and various plants from both zones grow. There are a lot of naturally grown plants and their visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers. Over 1,500 kinds of plants are confirmed which is relevant to the number of kinds naturally grow in England. Also, over 60 kinds of plants are first found in Mt. Takao such as Takao Sumire (V. yezoensis f. discolor) and Takao Higodai (Saussurea sinuatoides).
Annual herbs found in grasslands and at roadside. The lower parts of stems grow along the ground by rooting at nodes. Flowers are ephemeral flowers which only bloom one day, bloom in the morning and close around noon. The Japanese name Tsuyukusa literally meaning coloring plants because this flower was used to dye cloth. Flowers are 1..5 cm in diameter and color is bright blue. Have three petals, two on upper parts is large and lower one is white. Six yellow stamens protrude from the center of flowers but four of them are fake with no pollen. Self-pollinate when closing flowers but pollination is also by insects. Leaves are thin and elongated like bamboo leaf, 5 to 6 cm long, alternate and bottom of leaves wrap stem.
●Season Mid July to about Mid September
●Height about 20 to 40 cm
●Place Trail 1, Trail 3 to 4, Trail 6, Mt. Inari, Jyataki, Ura-Takao, Oku-Takao, Kita-Takao
●Season Mid July to about Mid September
●Height about 20 to 40 cm
●Place Trail 1, Trail 3 to 4, Trail 6, Mt. Inari, Jyataki, Ura-Takao, Oku-Takao, Kita-Takao