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The "Asato-kan-aoi" (Asarum tabatanum) belongs to Aristolochiaceae (the Birthwort family). It is a perennial herb that is an endemic species of Amami Oshima Island in Japan. It grows in the understory of evergreen forests and is about 10 cm tall. The leaves are dark green and triangular to heart-shaped with no luster. It produces dark purple flowers from February to March. The calyx tube is rounded and bell-shaped, and the calyx lobes are divided into three parts, with white fine hairs on the edges. This species was described as a new species in 2012. It is classified as a critically endangered species (CR) on the Red List. The Japanese name is derived from the place of its discovery, Asato, Amami City.
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