Japanese name: ベルクヘヤ プルプレア Scientific name:Berkheya purpurea
[Overview]
A perennial about 1 m tall.
White cobwebby hairs grow on the stems, the undersides of the leaves, and the involucral bracts.
There are basal leaves and stem leaves; the basal leaves are about 25 cm long and glossy on the upper surface.
The stem leaves are alternate and have no petioles; their lower parts fuse with the stem and form wings.
The leaf margins are wavy and have spines.
Several flower heads are borne on the upper part of the flower stalk, and the flowers open in order from the top of the stalk.
The flower heads consist of ray florets and tubular florets; the ray florets are pale to deep wisteria-purple, rarely white, and the tubular florets are purple.
The involucral bracts are pointed at the tip and have spines on the margin.
The fruit is an achene.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
Established plants are resistant to drought, so rainfall is sufficient unless summer brings a long sunny spell and the soil becomes severely dry.
If base fertilizer is applied, no further fertilizer is particularly necessary.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
