Ellisiophyllum pinnatum

Ellisiophyllum pinnatum, commonly known as Kikugarakusa in Japanese, is a prostrate perennial herb and the sole species in the genus Ellisiophyllum of the family Plantaginaceae. It is native to the region from the central Himalayas to New Guinea.

The stems creep along the ground, and a single leaf ascends obliquely from each node.

The plant grows to a height of 5–10 cm. From each node, it produces a petiole of 2–4 cm, and the leaves, which are 2.5–6 cm long and 2–5 cm wide, are broadly ovate and deeply pinnatifid, resembling chrysanthemum leaves. The leaves are arranged alternately.

The flowers are actinomorphic and bloom from May to June. Each white, bell-shaped flower, about 0.8 cm in diameter and five-lobed, appears on a 3–6 cm pedicel. Stamens and pistils protrude from the corolla.

After flowering, the plant produces spherical capsules borne on spirally twisted fruit stalks. The seeds are densely covered with sticky hairs.

It is known as a plant that deer dislike. It is designated as an endangered species.

Origin of the Flower Name
The genus name Ellisiophyllum is a compound word: “Ellis” honors the British botanist John Ellis (1710–1776), and “phyllum” is derived from the Latin for “leaf.”
The species epithet pinnatum means “feather-like” in Latin, referring to the deeply pinnatifid leaves.
The Japanese name Kikugarakusa (literally “chrysanthemum arabesque”) is derived from the resemblance of its leaves to arabesque patterns.

Common name: Kikugarakusa (Chrysanthemum Arabesque)
Scientific name: Ellisiophyllum pinnatum var. reptans
APG classification: Order Lamiales, Family Plantaginaceae (formerly Scrophulariaceae)
English name: Ellisiophyllum pinnatum
Native range: Central Himalayas to New Guinea
Habitat distribution: Central Himalayas, Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, China, Taiwan, Japan
Variety reptans: Japan
Habitat: Slightly bright and moist forest floors and forest edges in valleys in the Kinki, Chugoku, and Shikoku regions
Life form: Perennial herb
Rhizome: Creeping
Height: 5–10 cm
Petiole: 2–4 cm
Leaf blade: 2.5–6 cm long, 2–5 cm wide, broadly ovate, deeply pinnatifid like chrysanthemum leaves
Leaf arrangement: Alternate
Flower symmetry: Radial
Blooming season: May–June
Pedicel: 3–6 cm
Flower color: White
Corolla diameter: About 0.8 cm
Corolla shape: Bell-shaped, 5-lobed
Fruit type: Capsule
Fruit shape: Spherical
Fruit stalk: Spirally twisted
Seed surface: Densely covered with sticky hairs
Note: Monotypic genus
Remark: Endangered species; unpalatable to deer

Related page
Ellisiophyllum pinnatum var. reptans

Random flowers

Thunbergia alata

Alpine gentian

Scarlet sage

Rlc. Moon Miss 'Lunar Dawn'

Physostegia virginiana

Isotentski