They are a perennial plant that grows at the pool in the humid forests and in the forests along the mountain stream during the early spring (Perennial plant takes several years to grow). As their name shows it, they are the large Viola mandshurica having long leaves. ‘Saishin’ (Asiasarum) is named after the shape of the leaf resembling the ones of Asiasarum sieboldii (Aristolochiaceae). They are distributed throughout a region of the Pacific coast, while Viola vaginata with short leaves are widely along the Japan Sea. The leaves are thin and long heart-shaped, and sprout out latter than the blossoms. Consequently, they bear the blossoms with the leaves about 5 to 8 cm long rounded. The flowers are 2 to 2.5 cm in diameter, mainly pale purple color, but we see the white ones mostly at Mt. Takao. When the flowers wither, the leaves grow larger and larger to be about 15 cm long. They develop a thick underground stalk with knots longer to expand.

●Season Late March to about Mid April
●Height about 5 to 12 cm
●Place Trail 1 and 2, Trail 4 and 5, Ura-Takao, Minami-Takao