Chionographis japonica var. jaonica ("Shiraitoso")

Japanese name: シライトソウ （白糸草）
Scientific name: Chionographis japonica var. jaonica

[Overview]
A perennial 15–50 cm tall, found in woods in the mountains.
There are basal leaves and leaves arranged alternately on the flower stalk; the basal leaves form a rosette and are oblong to oblanceolate, 3–14 cm long, with a somewhat rounded tip and a base that gradually narrows into a leaf stalk, and the leaf margin is finely wavy.
The leaves on the flower stalk are linear to lanceolate.
A spike-like inflorescence 5–20 cm long is produced, and many flowers open in order from the bottom.
The flowers are white and have 6 tepals; the upper 4 are large, linear with a thickened tip and about 0.7–1.2 cm long, and the lower 2 are very short.
There are 6 stamens, and the anthers have 2 chambers.
The fruit is an oblong capsule, and the seeds have a tail on one side.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
Seed loses its germination rate when dried, so sow it immediately after collecting.
It prefers bright shade with good drainage and water retention and slightly moist conditions.
In summer, shade it and keep it cool in shade.
For plants in the ground, a moist place under deciduous trees is good.
It dislikes dryness, so take care not to let it run short of water and keep it constantly moist to some degree.
Do not let it dry out completely even in winter.
In spring, apply slow-release fertilizer.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

[Notes]
The Japanese name compares the slender tepals to thread.

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