[Overview]
A perennial with tuberous roots underground, most of which grow upright.
Some are climbing or epiphytic.
The base of the stem becomes woody.
The leaves are opposite or whorled, and are odd-pinnately compound, 1 to 3 times.
The flowers are borne at the ends of long flower stalks.
There are many cultivars with different flower forms and colors.
The flower diameter is 2–3 cm in the smallest-flowered types and 26 cm or more in the giant-flowered types.
[History]
It was brought to Japan by a Dutch ship around 1842 and was prized as tenjiku-botan.
It was introduced in earnest from 1877 (Meiji 10) onward.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by tuberous roots, stem cuttings, or seed.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained place.
The training method differs depending on the type.
