"Tsuru-rindou" (Tripterospermum japonicum) belongs to Gentianaceae (the Gentian family). It is a perennial herb that is native throughout Japan, as well as the Korean Peninsula. This herb grows in montane to sub-alpine forest edges and it grows about 50 cm long. The stems are climbing and twine around other small plants. The leaves are oblong, grossy and with acute tips. The pale purple flowers bloom at axils from July to September. The corola is tubular and having five partite tips. The fruits are elliptic an ripen red in fall.