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"Suizenji-na" (Gynura bicolor) belongs to Asteraceae (the Aster family). It is a perennial herb that is native to the tropics of East Asia. It came to Japan from China in the 18th century. It is called "Suizenji-so" in Kumamoto prefecture, "Kinji-so" in Ishikawa prefecture, and "Handama" in Okinawa prefecture, and it is a traditional vegetable. The stems are soft and the long-ovate leaves alternate. The back of the leaf is purple. From April to May, the flower stalks are extended and inflorescences are borne and yellow or yellow-red flowers come in bloom.
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