Japanese name: オルレア Scientific name:Orlaya grandiflora
[Overview]
An annual about 50 cm tall.
The stem is erect and branches well.
Leaves are alternate, 2–3 times pinnately compound, with finely cut leaflets.
Umbels at the stem tips bear many small white five-petaled flowers.
The petals are obovate, and the petals of the flowers on the outer edge of the inflorescence are markedly enlarged.
The inflorescence has an involucre with a white border.
The fruit is a schizocarp densely covered with white bristles.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained site.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless sunny weather continues and the soil dries out.
Less fertilizer is better, since too much produces lush leaves but few flowers, so apply only base fertilizer; for potted plants, diluted liquid fertilizer may be given while watching growth.
Pests and diseases include damping-off, aphids, spider mites, cutworms and slugs.
