Kirengeshoma palmata (yellow wax bells)

Japanese name: キレンゲショウマ （黄蓮華升麻）
Scientific name: Kirengeshoma palmata

[Overview]
A perennial 80–120 cm tall, found on damp rocky ground and gravelly places in the mountains.
It has a short, thickened rhizome.
The leaves are opposite, rounded-cordate, 10–20 cm in both length and width, and shallowly palmately lobed.
The leaves on the lower part of the stem have long leaf stalks.
Paniculate cymes are produced at the stem tip, bearing sparse flowers.
The flowers are bell-shaped, yellow and 5-petaled, 0.7–1.3 cm across.
The petals are arranged in a spiral and are slightly pointed at the tip.
The flower stalk is 4 cm long and points downward when in fruit.
The fruit is an oblong capsule 1.5–2 cm long.
The seeds are winged.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It prefers partial shade and well-drained soil.
Move potted plants to cool, airy shade in summer; plants in the ground are best planted under deciduous trees or similar.
Take care that it does not dry out; for potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and for plants in the ground as well, water in the morning or evening when the temperature is low in summer.
In addition to base fertilizer, place slow-release fertilizer on the soil in spring and autumn, or give diluted liquid fertilizer.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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