Japanese name: セントウソウ Scientific name:Chamaele decumbens var. decumbens
[Overview]
A perennial 10–35 cm tall, found in deciduous forests at low elevations and at the edges of evergreen forests.
The underground stem is bundle-like, 1–3 cm long, and sends up several thin, weak stems.
The leaves are basal and 2-times ternately compound; the leaflets are ovate and variously cut.
The leaves at flowering time are small, and those at fruiting time are large.
The leaf stalks are tinged with purple and abruptly widen into a sheath at the base.
A compound umbel at the stem tip bears 3–5 flower stalks.
The small umbels at the ends of the flower stalks bear 5–10 small white flowers.
The fruit is an oblong, fan-shaped mericarp 4–5 mm long.
The seeds have ridges.
