The "Sawa-azami" (Cirsium yezoense) belongs to Asteraceae (the Aster family). It is a perennial herb that is native to northern Japan and distributed southward from southern Hokkaido to Tohoku and Hokuriku district of Honshu. This herb grows along montane streams and can reach 1-3 m in height. The stem is covered with spiderweb-like hairs. The leaves are large elliptic and divided into pinnate lobes. The flowering stalks are borne on the axiles and bloom downward pale magenta flower-heads from September to October. It is defined by 4-6 bracts under flower-head. In the Kasuga district of Ibigawa Town, Gifu Prefecture, young spring greens have long been used for stewing and pickling in salt. The young petioles are used as wild vegetables and are called "gobou-azami" in the southern part of Oguni Town, Yamagata Prefecture.