Eomecon chionantha (snow poppy, "Shirayukigeshi")

Japanese name: シラユキゲシ （白雪芥子）
Scientific name: Eomecon chionantha

[Overview]
A perennial 20–40 cm tall, growing in its native range in valleys, forests and thickets at elevations of 1,400–1,800 m.
It has an orange rhizome.
When the stems or leaves are damaged, they exude a red-orange sap.
The leaves are basal, 5–25 cm long and 5–20 cm wide, heart-shaped to kidney-shaped, with wavy serrations on the margins.
The leaves have petioles 10–30 cm long.
Three to five flowers are borne at the tip of the flower stalk, which is sometimes tinged reddish purple.
The flowers are white, four-petaled, about 2–3 cm across, with many yellow stamens.
The fruit is an elliptical capsule 2 cm long.

[Uses]
It is used medicinally.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division.
It prefers a partially shaded, well-drained spot.
When planting in the ground, avoid places that get strong afternoon sun or that become dry.
Also, because it spreads by extending underground stems, to keep it from spreading too much, make a frame underground or plant it in a large pot and then bury the pot.
Take care that it does not dry out: for potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless summer brings a long spell of sunny weather and the soil becomes dry.
If base fertilizer is applied, no other fertilizer is particularly necessary, but for potted plants diluted liquid fertilizer may be given in spring and autumn.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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