Japanese name: ハゼラン（爆蘭） Scientific name:Talinum paniculatum
[Overview]
An annual 30–80 cm tall, found along roadsides and in gaps in stone walls near houses.
The stems and leaves are succulent, soft and smooth.
The stem is cylindrical and sparsely branched.
The leaves are simple and alternate, obovate, 3–10 cm long and 1.5–5 cm wide, with entire margins.
A large panicle emerges at the top of the stem and bears many flowers.
The flowers are reddish purple with 5 petals, 6–7 mm across.
The flowers open at around 3 p.m.
The fruit is a spherical capsule 3–4 mm across, which splits open when ripe.
[History]
It was introduced as an ornamental in the early Meiji period.
[Uses]
In the tropics, the leaves are boiled and eaten.
