Mukdenia rossii ("Tanchoso")

Japanese name: タンチョウソウ （丹頂草）
Scientific name: Mukdenia rossii

[Overview]
A perennial 20–36 cm tall.
In its native habitat it is found on rocky ground in ravines and similar places.
It has a thick rhizome.
The leaves are basal, round-heart-shaped, 10–14.3 cm long and 12–14.5 cm wide, and palmately 5–9-lobed.
The leaf margins are toothed.
The petioles are 7–15.5 cm long.
Cymes at the tips of the flower stalks bear many white 5-petaled flowers.
The petals are 0.2–0.3 cm long.
The sepals, 0.3–0.5 cm long, are longer than the petals and the same white color, so the flowers look as if they had 10 petals.
The anthers of the stamens are dark red.
The buds are often tinged with red.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division.
It prefers soil that is well drained, retains moisture well, and is moderately moist.
It prefers a sunny site, but in warm regions it is better kept in partial shade in summer, and plants in the ground are best planted under deciduous trees or similar.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries from spring to autumn, and keep on the dry side during dormancy.
For established plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless summer brings a long spell of sunny weather and the soil becomes severely dry.
When watering, it is good to wet the leaves as well.
In spring and autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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