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The Circumpolar starwort (Stellaria ruscifolia) belongs to Caryophyllaceae (the Carnation family). It is a perennial herb that is native from Chubu district of Honshu north to Hokkaido in Japan, as well as the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, the Russian Far East, and Alaska. This herb grows on sub-alpine to alpine screes, and it can reach 10-20 cm in height. The leaves are ovate to ovate-lanceolate, tinged powdery white, and alternate. The white flowers bloom atop of stems in summer. The petals are deep bilobate and give the appearance of ten-petals. The Japanese name is derived from the findspot, Shikotan Island. It is designated as Endangered Category II on the Ministry of the Environment's Red List.
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