Isodon
japonicus, a perennial found in somewhat dry, sunny grasslands
in fields and mountains, grows to 50-100cm in height, with stems
branching well at upper parts with a square cross-section of dense
downward fine hairs. Blades with 0.5-2cm-long petioles are in the
shape of a broad ovate, 6-15cm long, 3.5-8cm wide, with serrations
on margins, tips pointed, and bases broadly cuneate. Stem tops
generate panicles and set many labiate flowers; calyxes, about 2mm
long, with dense, fine hairs, are equally cleft in five, tinging
gray-white, and corollas are pale blue-purple, with purple dots on
upper lips. Both stamens and pistils are short, not projecting from
the corollas. Bloom time: September-October. |