The "Sawa-oguruma" (Senecio pierotii) belongs to Asteraceae (the Aster family). It is a perennial herb that is native to Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu and the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. This herb grows in montain bogs, and can reach 50-80 cm in height. The stem is thick and erect. The radical leaves are spatulate-lanceolate and arranged in rosette. The cauline leaves are ovate-lanceolate and enfold stems. The leaves are covered with dense gossamer hairs when young. The yellow flower-heads bloom in the terminal corymbs from April to June.