Bistorta suffulta ("Kurin'yukifude")

Japanese name: クリンユキフデ （九輪雪筆）
Scientific name: Bistorta suffulta

[Overview]
A perennial found in deciduous forests such as beech forests in the mountains.
It has a thick, short rhizome.
The stem is erect and about 5–10 cm tall at flowering, but reaches 20–50 cm at fruiting.
There are basal leaves and stem leaves; the basal leaves are ovate-cordate, 5–14 cm long and 3–9 cm wide, entire, with long petioles.
There are several stem leaves, ovate to ovate-cordate; the upper leaves are sessile and clasp the stem.
A pseudoraceme 1–3 cm long at the tip of a flower stalk that rises higher than the basal leaves bears densely packed flowers.
Sessile inflorescences also arise from the axils of the upper leaves.
The white calyx is conspicuous and petal-like, and the flower stalks are the same length as the bracts.
The fruit is an achene enclosed in the calyx, ovate with 3 ridges.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained place, but strong direct sunlight in summer can weaken it, so a cool place with good air circulation and partial shade in summer is suitable.
Protect it from cold wind and frost in winter.
From spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; in winter, water just enough that the soil does not dry out completely.
Apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil in spring and autumn.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

[Notes]
The Japanese name is said to derive from the leaves growing in layers and the flower spikes looking like white brushes.

View this page in Japanese (日本語)