Species in the genus Rubia:

Rubia akane / Akane
Rubia chinensis var. glabrescens / Ookinutasou
Rubia cordifolia var. pratensis / Kurumabaakane
　

Rubia cordifolia var. pratensis / Kurumabaakane クルマバアカネ

Rubia cordifolia var. pratensis inhabits sandy soil on the fringe of lowland forests close to the seashore. It possesses 5-8 whorled leaves around the main stem. At the species level, leaves are whorled by four. The petioles, leaf margins, and veins on a leaf bottom have many prickles. Bloom time: May-July.