The "Miso-hagi" (Lythrum anceps) belongs to Lythraceae (the Loosestrife family). It is a perennial herb that is native all over Japan and the Korean Peninsula. This herb grows in marshes and rice field linches, and it can reach 50-100 cm in height. The leaves are lanceolate and decussate. The entire plant is hairless, and the base of the leaves does not enfold the stem. The spikes are borne on the apices and bloom magenta flowers from July to August. It blooms just around the time of the Obon in the lunar calendar and is offered in front of the Buddhist altar, so it is also called "Bon-bana". The etymology of the Japanese name is "Misogi-hagi" or "Mizo-hagi", but in Osaka it is still called "Mizo-hagi".