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The "Hama-bossu" (Lysimachia mauritiana) belongs to Primulaceae (the Primrose family). It is a biennial herb that is native to Japan, East Asia, South Asia and the Pacific Islands. This herb grows in coastal scrags and it can reach 10-40 cm in height. The leaves are ovate-elliptic, glossy and alternate. The racemes are borne on the stem apices and bloom small white flowers from May to June. The corolla is 5-partite. The Japanese name "hossu" refers to the shape of the inflorescence. A hossu is a trinket used by Buddhist priests, similar to a hataki, which is a bundle of hair from the tail of a yak or horse. In Taiwanese Chinese, it is called "茅毛珍珠菜", and "濱海珍珠菜" (bin hai zhen zhu cai) in Chinese.
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