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 Higotai (Saussurea sinuatoides).
Perennial herbs (grow for several years from their same root system) found under tree shades and at forest edges in mountains. Short hair facing downward grow densely on stems. Flowers are 5 to 6 mm long, tubular shaped with lip-like tips. Bloom many light reddish white flowers create cylindrical flower spike. Calyx covering petals have long white hair. Leaves are egg-shaped to shallow egg-shaped, 2 to 3 cm, tips are pointed with toothed margins (edges of leaves are like a teeth of saw). Texture is thin and hair on both sides. Have distinct leaf glands producing nectar that attracts ants to protect the plants from pests. The Japanese name Inu-tobana was named because it resembles clinopodium gracile (Toubana in Japanese) in the same family but inu (not the same in Japanese) was added to describe it is different from clinopodium gracile.
●Season Late July to about Mid September
●Height about 20 to 50 cm
●Place Trail 1 to 3, Trail 5 to 6, Jyataki, Ura-Takao, Kita-Takao
●Season Late July to about Mid September
●Height about 20 to 50 cm
●Place Trail 1 to 3, Trail 5 to 6, Jyataki, Ura-Takao, Kita-Takao