キク科シオン属の多年草で、学名は Aster microcephalus var. ovatus (syn. Aster ovatus var. ovatus)。英名は Wild chrysanthemum。
The Wild chrysanthemum (Aster microcephalus var. ovatus) belongs to Asteraceae (the Aster family). It is a perennial herb that is native to Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu in Japan. This herb grows in sunny mountains to sub-alpine areas and can reach 50-100 cm in height. The leaves are broad-lanceolate or oblong and euralia-like textured with short hairs on the both sides. They have coarsely-toothed margins. The corymbs are borne on the stem apices and the flower-heads bloom from August to November. The ray-flowers are bluish-purple, pale purple or white. The bracts are hemispherical and the phyllaries are arranged in triple rows. The Japanese name "No-kon-giku" is derived from the dark blue "chrysanthemum" that blooms in the field.