Japanese name: タカネヒゴタイ Scientific name:Saussurea kaimontana
[Overview]
A perennial 25–60 cm tall, growing in grasslands and at forest edges in the alpine zone.
The stem is erect with distinct broad wings, and sometimes branches 1–3 times in the upper part.
There are basal leaves and leaves alternate on the stem; the basal leaves have usually withered by flowering time.
Leaves on the lower part of the stem are narrowly ovate-cordate, 5–9 cm long, with tail-like tips and coarse teeth along the margin.
The leaf stalk is about 5 cm long and broadly winged.
The flower heads are borne 3–5 at the stem tips, about 1.5 cm across, and consist only of reddish purple tubular florets.
The involucre is bell-shaped to cylindrical, 1.2–1.8 cm long and 1.2–1.8 cm across, tinged with dark purplish brown and covered with cobwebby hairs.
The involucral bracts are in 5 rows, with tips drawn out into long tails.
The fruit is an achene with a pappus.
[Notes]
Some authorities regard it as a form of Yahazu-higotai.
