Japanese name: ヒゴタイ（平江帯、肥後台、日向堪、肥後躰） Scientific name:Echinops setifer
[Overview]
A perennial 1–2 m tall, found in sunny, dry grasslands.
The stem is erect, covered with cobwebby hairs and brown hairs, and branches slightly in the upper part.
There are basal leaves and leaves arranged alternately on the stem; the basal leaves are elliptic and deeply twice pinnately divided, with serrations ending in spines, curly hairs on the upper surface, and dense white cobwebby hairs on the underside.
The basal leaves have petioles.
The stem leaves are pinnately divided and stalkless.
Spherical flower heads 4–5 cm across are borne at the branch tips.
The flower heads consist only of blue tubular florets.
The involucre is cylindrical, with the bracts in 5 rows and stiff bristles at the base.
The fruit is an achene.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It prefers sunny, well-drained, weakly alkaline soil.
The roots extend deep into the ground, so cultivate the soil deeply.
For potted plants, water thoroughly after the soil has dried; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
It dislikes excess moisture, so avoid overwatering.
Apply base fertilizer, and also apply slow-release fertilizer around the plant in spring and autumn.
Powdery mildew can occur.
