Japanese name: シロウメソウ（白梅草） Scientific name:Omphalodes linifolia
[Overview]
An annual 30–40 cm tall.
There are basal leaves and stem leaves; the basal leaves are spatulate, about 6 cm long.
The leaves on the stem are simple and alternate.
Scorpioid cymes at the stem tips bear sparse white or bluish-purple flowers shaped like the plum-blossom crest (umebachi).
The fruit consists of 4 nutlets, and the margins of the nutlets are serrate.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It is usually sown in autumn.
It has a taproot and dislikes transplanting, so sow directly where it will grow, or sow in plastic pots and then transplant.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
If the environment suits it, it also multiplies well from self-sown seed.
Water when the soil surface begins to dry.
If it dries out, the leaves drop or the plant does not flower, but if the soil is too wet, the roots rot.
Apply slow-release fertilizer as a base fertilizer, and give liquid fertilizer once every 2 weeks until flowering.
If you are not collecting seed, cut off the flower stalks at the base after flowering finishes.
Aphids can occur.
