The "Hama-azami" (Cirsium maritimum) belongs to Asteraceae (the Aster family). It is a perennial herb that is distributed westward from Shizuoka prefecture of Honshu to Shikoku and Kyushu. This herb grows on sandy shores and can reach 20-60 cm in height. The stem is branched at lower parts. The leaves are thick, strong glossy with acute spines. The magenta flower-heads bloom upright on terminal stems with 1-4 leafy bracts from June to December. The rootstocks have flavor and are used for foods.