Small flowers in Kashiwa city

Wild Life 

Wild grass

Small flowers in Kashiwa city

We can see many kinds of wild flowers all year round in the suburb of Kashiwa city. Most of wild flowers are small, and look so weak. However, they grow strongly in the severe circumstances. We need careful observation to find these pretty and unremarkable grass in the natural world.

We occasionally call all the grass in a field as “Zasso”;Weed. Because almost all the people don’t know the name of each “Zasso”.

You should throw away a TV console, and it's better to walk through the field. Then you can discover a wonderful “Zasso” world. 

* Plant's name is described in order of Japanese name (Kana), description of Roman alphabet, and English name (or Scientific name). 

カントウヨメナ, Kantoyomena, Kalimeris Pseudoyomena

“Kantoyomena” grows on the edge of the woods. The hight of this grass is about 50 cm.

"Kantoyomena"

ミゾソバ, Mizosoba, Water Pepper

“Mizosoba” grows by the waterside. Several white flowers bloom on the top of a stem. A group of flowers looks like “Konpeito” (Japanese confetti).

"Mizosoba"

ママコノシリヌグイ, Mamakonoshirinugui, Persicania Senticosa
“Mamakonoshirinugui” grows by the roadside. A flower is similar to “Mizosoba”.
A name of this grass is an awful name in meaning, and it's uselessly too long. So I think that it should be called as “Mako”.

"Mamakonoshirinugui"

ゲンノショウコ, Gennosyoko, Thunberg’s Geranium　

“Gennosyoko” blooms a pretty flower. It is a medical herb in Japan.

"Gennosyoko"

ウシハコベ, Ushihakobe, Water Chickweed

“Ushihakobe” blooms pretty flowers on the top of a stem. “Hakobe” grasses grow thick in spring, and they continuously grow till autumn. 

"Ushihakobe"

センニンソウ, Senninso, Sweet Autumn Clematis

“Senninso” is a climbing plant, and it grows in the sunny field.

"Senninso"

エビヅル, Ebizuru, Vitis Ficifolia
“Ebizuru” is also a climbing plant. It grows on the hilly area. I found it in a sunny dike. This plant was formerly called as “Ebikazura” and was identified with “Yamabudo”.

"Ebizuru"

マメアサガオ, Mameasagao, Ipomoea Lacunosa

“Mameasagao” was introduced from North America. It's a climbing plant, and a flower is pretty.

"Mameasagao"

ホシアサガオ, Hoshiasagao, Ipomoea triloba

“Hoshiasagao” was introduced from Latin America. It is also a climbing plant.

A shape of flower is similar to “Mameasagao”. 

"Hoshiasagao"

ワルナスビ, Warunasubi, Carolina Horse-nettle

“Warunasubi” was introduced from America. A flower looks like that of a potato or an egg plant. A fruit has a poison, so it has a word of “Waru”;Evil in it’s name.

"Warunasubi"

イヌホオズキ, Inuhozuki, Black Nightshade

“Inuhozuki” blooms several flowers on the top of a stem. A prefix of “Inu”;Dog means that this plant is not useful. What a impolite manner to call this pretty plant as "Inuhozuki".

"Inuhozuki"

アメリカタカサブロウ, Amerikatakasaburo, Eclipta Alba

“Amerikatakasaburo” was introduced from Latin America. I can’t guess a naming rule of this plant. Anyway, “Takasaburo” is a name of a man.

"Amerikatakasaburo"

イボクサ, Ibokusa, Marsh Dew-flower

“Ibokusa” grow thick in the marsh and the paddy field. It's natural that the farmers dislike this weed. 

"Ibokusa"

シロバナサクラタデ, Shirobanasakuratade, Persicaria japonica

“Shirobanasakuratade” grows in the marsh. A prefix of “Shiro” means white, but it’s not necessary, because I know such color when I see this flower.

"Shirobanasakuratade"

アカネ, Akane, Madder

“Akane” is a climbing plant. It grows in the mountain and on the edge of the woods. It blooms small yellow-green flowers from September to October. The dye weaver extracts dyes from the roots of “Akane”.

"Akane"

イヌヌマトラノオ, Inunumatoranoo, Lysimachia Fortunei × Pilophora Honda

“Inunumatoranoo” is a hybrid of "Numatoranoo" and "Okatoranoo" that grows in a wetland. It blooms many white flowers on the stalk in summer.

"Inunumatoranoo"

エゴマ, Egoma, Perilla

A leaf and a flower of “Egoma” look like those of a Beefsteak plant. This seed-oil is popular among old people in Japan.

"Egoma"

アレチウリ, Arechiuri, Star Cucumber

“Arechiuri” was introduced from North America. It is specified as a specific introduced species, moreover it is a target of extermination. This rule was designated by human reasons, however it is one of the precious plants for many bees. 

"Arechiuri"

タネツケバナ, Tanetsukebana, Bitter Cress

“Tanetsukebana” grow thick in spring. It blooms many minimal flowers.

"Tanatsukebana"

オオモナミ, Ohmonami, Xanthium Canadense Mill.

“Ohmonami” was introduced from North America. A minimal flower is not noticeable. In addition, the seeds stick to the clothes. It is a troublesome plant for many animals.

"Ohmonami"

カタバミ, Katabami, Oxalis Comiculata

“Katabami” has a strong propagative power. A form of “Katabami” leaf was used for a family crest, for the purpose of wishing for the prosperity of a family.

"Katabami"

“Katabami” family crest of “Yoshida” old residence

スベリヒユ, Suberihiyu, Common Purslane

“Suberihiyu” also has a strong propagative power. So, many farmers dislike this grass. It is a succulent plant.

"Suberihiyu"

イチビ, Ichibi, Velvetleaf

“Ichibi” was introduced from India. It is specified as a specific introduced species, and it is a target of extermination too.

"Ichibi"

アメリカキンゴジカ, Amerikakingojika, Sida Spinosa

“Amerikakingojika” was introduced from America. It grows by the roadside and blooms yellow flowers on the stalk. I don’t understand the meaning of the Japanese name.

"Amerikakingojika"

クサネム, Kusanemu, Indian Jointvetch

“Kusanemu” grows in a wetland. The hight of this plant is about 1 m. It is a harmful weed for farmers.

"Kusanemu"

ノゲシ, Nogeshi, Common Sow Thistle

“Nogashi” was introduced from Europe. Several flowers bloom on the top of a long stem. 

"Nogeshi"

アキノノゲシ, Akinonogeshi, Indian Lettuce

“Akinonogeshi” was introduced from Southeast Asia. The hight of a flower stem is about 1m. 

"Akinonogeshi"

イワニガナ, Iwanigana, Lxeris Stolonifera

“Iwanigana” grow thick in the sunny field.  It propagates by using a creeping shoot.

"Iwanigana"

ナタネタビラコ, Natanetabirako, Lapsana Communis
“Natanetabirako” was introduced from Europe, and it becomes a naturalized plant in Kanto area now. The hight of stem is about 80 cm. A flower looks like “Hananigana”.

"Natanebirako"

アイノコセンダングサ, Ainokosendangusa, Bidens Pilosa var. Intermedia
“Ainokosendangusa” is a cross-fertilization of “Shironosendangusa” and “Kosendangusa” (I don’t care). It has several white flower petals.

"Ainokosendangusa"

ノボロギク, Noborogiku, Groundsel

“Noborogiku” was introduced from Europe. Many tubular flowers gather on a bract. 

"Noborogiku"

ハハコグサ, Hahakogusa, Jersey Cudweed

“Hahakogusa” is one of the grass to use during the Seven-Herbs Festival in spring. Most of the wild grass grow in duration from early spring to autumn.

"Hahakogusa"

スカシタゴボウ, Sukashitagobo, Bog Yellow Cress

“Sukashitagobo” grows in the ridge of a paddy field. Japanese name is not so good (my personal opinion).

"Sukashitagobo"

ブタナ, Butana, Cats Ear

“Butana” was introduced from Europe. The hight of a flower stem is about 40 cm.

"Butana"

アキカラマツ, Akikaramatsu, var. Hypoleucum
“Akikaramatsu” grows in the sunny field. Many small flowers bloom on the top of a stem. The hight of “Akikaramatsu” is around 1 m.

"Akikaramatsu"

ハナイバナ, Hanaibana, Bothriospermum Tenellum

“Hanaibana” grows by the road side. It blooms minimal flowers.

"Hanaibana"

クマツヅラ, Kumatsuzura, Common Verbena

“Kumatsuzura” also grows by the road side.  It is a medical herb.

"Kumatsuzura"

イヌトウバナ, Inutoubana, Clinopodium Micranthum

“Inutoubana” grows by the roadside. It blooms small flowers on the stalk in Autumn.

"Inutoubana"

ツルボ, Tsurubo, Japanese Jacinth

“Tsurubo” is a bulbous plant. It grows in the sunny field.

"Tsurubo"

ホトケノザ, Hotokenoza, Common Henbit

“Hotokenoza” grow thick in spring. It blooms several tubular flowers on the top of a stem.

"Hotokenoza"

ウツボグサ, Utsubogusa, Common Self-heal

“Utsubogusa” grows on the sunny field. This grass densely blooms purple flowers at the tip of the stem in June. This is a medicinal plant.

"Utsubogusa"

ガガイモ, Gagaimo, Cynanchum Rostellatum

“Gagaimo” is a climbing plant. It grows by the roadside, and blooms purplish white flowers from summer to autumn.

"Gagaimo"

イヌハッカ, Inuhakka, Catnip

“Inuhakka” was introduced from Europe. It blooms pink flowers at the tip of the stem in July.

"Inuhakka"

ツユクサ, Tsuyukusa, Asiatic Dayflower
“Tsuyukusa” grows in the ridge of a paddy field. Japanese people have been loving it since  “Manyo” era (7th century-8th century). We can find blue and white flowers.

"Tsuyukusa"

White "Tsuyukusa"

ユウゲショウ, Yugesyo, Rose Evening Primrose

“Yugesyo” grow thick in spring. It was introduced from Latin America.

"Yugesyo"

アキノタムラソウ, Akinotamuraso, East Asian sage

The hight of “Akinotamuraso” is about 50 cm. It grows in the sunny field.

"Akinitamuraso"

ツリフネソウ, Tsurifuneso, Touch-me-not

“Tsurifuneso” grows in a wetland.  I feel the sound of English name is very good.

"Tsurifuneso"

オオバクサフジ, Ohbakusafuji, Vicia Pseudo-orobus

“Ohbakusafuji” belongs to Fabaceae family. It is a climbing plant, and it grows in the sunny field.

"Ohbakusafuji"

アレチヌスビトハギ, Arechinusubitohagi, Panicled Tick Trefoil

It was introduced from North America. I think that Japanese name “Arechinusubitohagi” is not good for this pretty plant. I wonder whether some godparent has a common sense or not.

"Arechinusubitohagi"

イヌタデ, Inutade, Creeping Smartweed

“inutade” grows a pink spike. I disappoint that a name has a prefix “Inu”.

"Inutade"

キツネノマゴ, Kitsunenomago, Water Willow

“Kitsunenomago” blooms several small flowers on the top of a stem. You can’t find this small plant, if you don’t pay attention. “Kitsunenomago” is also my disagreeable name.

"Kitsunenomago"

ミズヒキ, Mizuhiki, Pericaria Filiformis

“Mizuhiki” blooms many small flowers on a fine stem. It grows in the sunny field.

"Mizuhiki"

ツルマメ, Tsurumame, Wild Soy Been

“Tsurumame” is a climbing plant. A flower is very pretty.

"Tsurumame"

ヤブマメ, Yabumame, Amphicarpaea Edgeworthii var Japonica

“Yabumame” grows on the edge of the woods. It is a climbing plant. Flower color is light purple.

"Yabumame"

ツリガネニンジン, Tsuriganeninjin, Adenophora Triphylla var. Japonica

“Tsuriganeninjin” grows in the sunny field. A root is used for a herb medicine.

"Tsuriganeninjin"

クコ, Kuko, Chinees Wolf-berry

“Kuko” was introduced from China. It is a woody plant. A fruit is edible, a leaf and a root are used for the herb medicines.

"Kuko"

ワレモコウ, Waremoko, Great Burnet

“Waremoko” belongs to a Rose family. It grows in the sunny field. A root is also used for a herb medicine. I feel that a shape of flower assembles is somehow peculiar.

"Waremoko"

References; 

[1] Wikipedia

[2] Observation reference-book of wild flowers

　  ( 野の花・山の花 観察図鑑; Publisher 「主婦の友社」 )

[3] Wild plants in all seasons ( 四季の山野草; http://www.ootk.net/shiki/ )

All Rights Reserved, Y. Krish Hiwatari