Ichihatsu - Ichihatsu

A perennial plant of the Iridaceae family (APG classification: Iridaceae). Native to inland China, it has been cultivated since the Edo period. The rhizome is thick, short, and clump-like. The leaves are pale green, sharply pointed, 30-60 cm long, 2.5-3.5 cm wide, smooth, with an unclear midvein, and open fan-shaped at the base. In April and May, the flower stalk grows to about 30 cm, produces 1-2 branches, and bears 2-3 flowers on each branch. The parsley leaves are obovate-oblong and membranous. There are almost no pedicels. The flowers have purple spots, are about 10 cm in diameter, and the flower tube is 2.5 cm long. The outer tepals are obovate, and from the center down, there are densely growing cockscomb-shaped white fleshy protrusions with purple spots on the inside. The inner tepals are almost the same size and open diagonally. There are varieties with white flowers and variegated leaves. They are both cold- and drought-resistant, and spread by extending many thin underground stems from the surface or shallow soil. In the past, they were planted on thatched roofs. They can grow in full sun or partial shade, but are most beautiful in partial shade.

[Kiyoro Yoshie May 21, 2019]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

アヤメ科（APG分類：アヤメ科）の多年草。中国内陸部の原産で江戸時代から栽培されていた。根茎は太く、短く、叢生(そうせい)する。葉は淡緑色で先は鋭くとがり、長さ30～60センチメートル、幅2.5～3.5センチメートル、平滑で中央脈は不明瞭(ふめいりょう)、基部で扇状に開く。4～5月に花茎を30センチメートルくらいに伸ばし1～2枝を出し、各枝に2～3花をつける。小包葉は倒卵状長楕円(ちょうだえん)形で膜質。小花柄はほとんどない。花は紫点があり、径約10センチメートル、花筒は長さ2.5センチメートル。外花被片(かひへん)は倒卵形で、中央部から以下は内面に紫斑(しはん)のある鶏冠状の白色肉質突起を密生する。内花被片はほぼ同大で斜めに開く。白花と斑入葉(ふいりは)種がある。耐寒性、耐乾性ともに強く、地表あるいは浅土中に細い多数の地下茎を伸ばして繁殖する。昔は藁葺(わらぶ)き屋根に植えた。日なたでも半日陰でも育つが、半日陰で美しい。

［吉江清朗　2019年5月21日］

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