Japanese name: ゲンノショウコ（現の証拠） Scientific name:Geranium thunbergii
[Overview]
A perennial 30–50 cm tall, seen along roadsides and in sunny places in the hills and fields.
The stem branches well from the base, and the lower part creeps along the ground; the stem and leaves bear many hairs.
There are basal leaves and stem leaves; the basal leaves have often withered by flowering time.
The stem leaves are opposite, reniform to round and 1–8 cm wide; the lower leaves are palmately divided into 5 lobes, and the upper leaves into 3 lobes.
The lower leaves have long petioles.
Flowers are borne two at a time at the stem tips and branch tips.
The flowers are 5-petaled, 1–1.5 cm across, and white to reddish purple.
The flower stalks are densely covered with hairs and glandular hairs.
The fruit is a capsule, which splits into 5 parts and bursts open when ripe.
Flower color and hairiness vary greatly; reddish purple flowers are common in western Japan, and white flowers are common in eastern Japan.
[Uses]
The stems and leaves are used medicinally.
[Notes]
The name comes from the fact that its medicinal effects appear immediately.
