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 shady streamside in mountainous land and forest edge. Two lip-shaped petals are very unique and protruding stamens and pistils look like a tongue. About 5 to 15 mm long flower stalks grow from the tip of stems or axils of leaves and bloom flowers between two bracts like placing palms together. Flowers are red-purple, about 3 cm long, upper petals are slim with curled tip and lower petals are round and big. Have deep red-purple dots in inner side of petals. Leaves are about 5 to 8 cm egg-like elongated oval-shaped and opposite. Japanese name Haguroso literally meaning leaf black plants was named after dark green colored leaves. After flowering, bear about 9 to 12 mm long fruits.
●Season Mid-August to about Early October
●Height about 20 to 40 cm
●Place Trail 1 to 4, Trail 6, Jyataki, Ura-Takao
●Season Mid-August to about Early October
●Height about 20 to 40 cm
●Place Trail 1 to 4, Trail 6, Jyataki, Ura-Takao