Japanese name: ツメクサ（爪草） Scientific name:Sagina japonica
[Overview]
An annual or biennial 2–20 cm tall, commonly seen along roadsides and similar places.
The stem branches well and grows densely, with short glandular hairs in the upper part.
The leaves are simple and opposite, needle-like, 0.5–2 cm long and about 0.1 cm wide.
The flowers are borne singly in the leaf axils; they are white, about 0.4 cm across, and usually 5-petaled.
The petals are shorter than the calyx or about the same length.
There are 5–8 stamens.
The flower stalk is 0.2–2.7 cm long and has glandular hairs.
The fruit is a capsule.
The seeds have cylindrical projections.
[Uses]
The whole plant is used medicinally.
[Notes]
The Japanese name likens the shape of the leaves to a bird's claw.
