スミレ科スミレ属の多年草で、学名は Viola verecunda。英名は Japanese violet。
The Japanese violet (Viola verecunda) belongs to Violaceae (the Violet family). It is a perennial herb that is native to Japan, as well as Taiwan, the Korean Peninsula and China. This herb grows in wettish places of woodlands and can reach 5-25 cm in height. The flowering stalks grow out and bloom small white flowers with purple stripes from April to June. The Japanese name comes from the shape of the leaves, which resemble a "nyoi" used in Buddhist rituals. It is called "如意草" in Taiwanese Chinese.