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).
Perennial herbs found in wide range of areas from the base of mountains to roadside. Stems grow along the ground and leaves radiates from petioles towards the edges of leaves. This is also called as Jigokuno-kamano-futa literally meaning the lid of cauldron of hell because the way it grows is like the lid on the ground, and as Isha-koroshi literally meaning doctor killer because it was widely used as curative medicinal herbs for cuts and gastrointestinal disease. Most of plants in lamiaceae have square cross-sectional stems but this species have round cross-sectional. Radical leaves are 4 to 6 cm long and slightly thick and purplish. The shape is spatula-like shaped called oblanceolate with roughly toothed margins. Flowers are 1 cm long and bloom some dark purple lip-shaped flowers.
●Season March to about May
●Height about 5 cm
●Place Trail 2 to 3, Trail 5, Oku-Takao
●Season March to about May
●Height about 5 cm
●Place Trail 2 to 3, Trail 5, Oku-Takao