Eriocaulon nudicuspe

Flower name
Eriocaulon nudicuspe
Scientific name
Eriocaulon nudicuspe
Alias白玉星草
Place of originendemic to Japan
Place of floweringWetlands, Specific area
Flowering seasonAugust, September, October

What is Eriocaulon nudicuspe

Eriocaulon nudicuspe (scientific name: Eriocaulon nudicuspe) is an annual herb belonging to the family Eriocaulaceae and endemic to Japan. It is also called "kompeito" (meaning "goldbeet sugar") because of the shape of its flowers. It grows naturally in marshy areas along the coast of Ise Bay in Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures in the Tokai region.
The plant is 20 to 40 cm tall. The leaves are rhizomatous, 15-20 cm long and 1-3 cm wide, with needle-like tips. The flower stalk has 5 ridges, 0.1 cm in diameter, and is thin and soft, but twisted loosely so that it can stand upright. 1 single white head flower is produced at the tip of the flower stalk from August to October. Male and female flowers are mixed. The head flower is about 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter, and the head flower is formed by a cluster of small flowers 0.2 to 0.4 cm in diameter. The small flowers are grayish yellow, but appear white with white hairs at their tips. The flowers have a sweet and sour fragrance. Leaves are rarely attached.

Origin of scientific name
The genus name "Eriocaulon" is a compound of the Latin words "erion (parchment or pubescence)" and "caulos (stem)," meaning "stem with pubescence. The species name "nudicuspe" is a compound of "nudi" (naked) + "cuspe" (head).

Pharmaceutical Ingredients
In Chinese medicine, the head flower and flower stalks are used as raw materials for medicines.

Common name: Eriocaulon nudicuspe, scientific name: Eriocaulon nudicuspe, subname: Eriocaulon nudicuspe, place of origin: Japan, habitat: Tokai region, Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu and Mie prefectures, living environment: marshy areas near the coast of Ise Bay, Height: 20-40 cm, Leaf: rhizomatous, leaf shape: linear, leaf length: 15-20 cm, leaf width: 1-3 cm, flowering season: August-October, inflorescence shape: head flower, flower diameter: 1 cm, head flower diameter: 0.5-1 cm, each small flower diameter: 0.3 cm, Flower color: white, number of petals: 3, cotyledon: 3 chambered, capitulum: 3 lobed, number of stamens: 6, anther color: black, fruit type: Saku-katsu, special note: Category II (VU) endangered on the Red List by the Ministry of the Environment.