Japanese name: サクラマンテマ Scientific name:Silene pendula
[Overview]
An annual 20–50 cm tall.
The stems and leaves have somewhat coarse hairs, and the upper part of the stem has glandular hairs.
The stem branches freely from the base, giving the plant a hemispherical form.
Leaves are simple and opposite, oblong to ovate-lanceolate.
Cymes at the stem tips bear many flowers.
The flowers are 5-petaled, about 1.5–2 cm across, pale reddish purple or white, with the lower part enclosed in the calyx.
The petals open flat and are 2-lobed at the tip.
There are 10 stamens.
After flowering, the calyx enlarges into a bag shape.
The fruit is a capsule.
[History]
It arrived in Japan in the mid-Meiji era (1890).
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It also spreads readily from self-sown seed.
When sown in autumn, protect it from frost in winter.
It prefers sunny, well-drained, fertile soil rich in humus.
Cultivation is easy.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Fertilizer is not particularly necessary.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
