Japanese name: キチジョウソウ（吉祥草） Scientific name:Reineckea carnea
[Overview]
A perennial 8–13 cm tall, found in woodland in the mountains.
The rhizome grows long and spreads.
The leaves are simple, basal and clustered, linear, 10–20 cm long.
The leaves have 3–5 conspicuous veins.
A spike-like inflorescence 8–13 cm tall bears about 10 flowers that face upward.
The axis of the inflorescence is purple.
The flowers are pale pink with 6 petals.
The fruit is a spherical berry 6–9 mm in diameter that ripens to reddish purple.
[Uses]
The Japanese name comes from the saying that the plant flowers when good fortune comes to a household that grows it, and it is used in gardens and similar places as an auspicious plant.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by division.
It is hardy and easy to grow.
It prefers sun to partial shade and well-drained, moderately moist soil.
Strong direct sunlight in midsummer can cause leaf scorch.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
For plants in the ground no fertilizer is particularly needed; for potted plants, apply slow-release fertilizer in spring and autumn.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
