Japanese name: イワカラクサ（岩唐草） Scientific name:Erinus alpinus
[Overview]
A semi-evergreen to evergreen perennial 10 cm tall.
In its native habitat it grows in gravelly ground and similar sites in limestone areas at elevations of 1,500–2,000 m.
The stem is hairy.
There are basal leaves and stem leaves; the basal leaves are oblanceolate, 1.5 cm long and 0.5 cm wide, with blunt teeth on the margins.
The stem leaves are simple and alternate.
A raceme at the stem tip bears many flowers 0.5 cm across.
The flower color is usually purplish pink, but there are also crimson, deep pink and white forms.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It also multiplies readily from self-sown seed.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
Plant it in Kiryu sand alone or in a mountain-wildflower soil mix, without basal fertilizer.
It dislikes heat and humidity.
Keep it on the slightly dry side to avoid excess moisture; for potted plants, water thoroughly after the soil has dried, and for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Fertilize sparingly, giving diluted liquid fertilizer about twice a month in spring and autumn.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
