Japanese name: アスペルラ オリエンタリス Scientific name:Asperula orientalis
[Overview]
An annual 20–30 cm tall.
The stems are branched and have 4 ridges.
The leaves are simple, in whorls of 4–8, lanceolate to linear, 1.2–2.5 cm long and 0.2–0.5 cm wide, without leaf stalks.
Of the leaves in each whorl, the true leaves are the 2 that are opposite, and the others are stipules of the same shape.
Cymes arise at the stem tips and from the leaf axils, bearing many densely clustered flowers, and the inflorescence has leaf-like bracts.
The flowers are pale bluish purple to blue, and the corolla has a long tube with 4 lobes at the tip.
The fruit is a schizocarp.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
Sowing in autumn is usual, but in cold regions it can also be sown in spring.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, well-ventilated place.
It dislikes heat and humidity.
Take care not to overwater; for potted plants, water when the soil surface dries, and during flowering pour water thoroughly from the edge of the pot so that it does not get on the flowers.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless sunny weather continues and the soil dries out.
Apply liquid fertilizer from spring until flowering.
Remove spent flowers promptly.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
