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The "Shisoba-tatsunami" (Scutellaria laeteviolacea) belongs to Lamiaceae (the Mint family). It is a perennial herb that is distributed from Fukushima prefecture of Honshu west to Shikoku, Kyushu in Japan, and eastern China. It grows in slightly damp forests and can reach 5 to 15 cm in height. The leaves are triangular ovate and opposite, with long petioles. The bluish-purple labiate flowers come in May to June. The Japanese name is derived from the shape of the flower as it blooms, resembling a head of waves lapping against the shore. In Chinese, it is called "光紫黄芩" (guang zi huang qin).
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