Adenophora nikoensis

Flower name
Adenophora nikoensis
Scientific name
Adenophora nikoensis
Alias姫沙参
Place of originendemic to Japa
Place of floweringHigh mountain, Sub-alpine
Flowering seasonJuly, August, September

What is Adenophora nikoensis

Adenophora nikoensis or Himeshajin (Adenophora nikoensis) is an alpine perennial herb of the family Campanulaceae, endemic to Japan and belonging to the genus Adenophora. It is regarded as a variety of Miyamashajin (Adenophora takedae).
It grows naturally on gravelly slopes and rocky areas of the subalpine and alpine zones, mainly in the southern Tohoku region and central Honshu (northward).

The plant is 10–40 cm tall. The leaves are lanceolate, 3–7 cm long and 0.5–2 cm wide, with rounded or cuneate bases, finely serrated margins, and alternate arrangement. From July to September, it produces 1 to several blue-purple, bell-shaped flowers (1.5–2.5 cm long) at the stem tips, with corolla lobes divided into five parts. The style is about the same length as, or slightly protrudes beyond, the corolla.

Characteristics of Himeshajin
From July to September, it bears small, pale bluish-purple bell-shaped flowers. Despite its short stature, the flowers are relatively large and eye-catching. The calyx has serrated lobes.

Origin of the Name
The genus name Adenophora refers to the ladybells genus.
The specific epithet nikoensis is derived from Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, where the species was first discovered.
The Japanese name “Himeshajin” (姫沙参) means “small Shajin,” indicating its smaller size compared to Iwashajin (Adenophora takedae).

Differences between Himeshajin and Iwashajin
Himeshajin (Adenophora nikoensis)
– Subalpine to alpine habitat
– Flowers bloom in early summer
– Style is as long as or slightly protrudes from the corolla
– Stem leaves lanceolate

Iwashaijn (Adenophora takedae)
– Alpine plant
– Flowers bloom in autumn
– Style does not protrude from the corolla
– Stem leaves narrow and linear

Differences between Iwashajin and Tsukubanenjin (Adenophora triphylla var. japonica)
Although similar, A. triphylla var. japonica (Tsukubanenjin) has a style that protrudes from the corolla, while A. takedae (Iwashaijn) does not.

Genus Adenophora (Ladybells)

ツリガネニンジン属

Left: Iwashajin (A. takedae) – narrow leaves
Center: Himeshajin (A. nikoensis) – lanceolate leaves
Right: Tsukubanenjin (A. triphylla var. japonica) – protruding style beyond corolla

Flower Language of Himeshajin
“Graceful behavior”

Plant data
Height: 10–40 cm
Leaf shape: lanceolate; 3–7 cm long; 0.5–2 cm wide; base rounded or cuneate; margin finely serrated; alternate arrangement
Inflorescence: 1 to several blue-purple flowers with 5-lobed corolla at stem tips
Sepals: linear, serrated lobes
Flowering season: July–September
Corolla length: 1.5–2.5 cm, bell-shaped
Style: about as long as corolla, or slightly protruding
Distribution: endemic to Honshu (southern Tohoku, central Honshu northward)