dwarf milkwort; Polygala japonica
A small perennial herb native to East Asia, often found in grassy areas. The name is usually written in katakana.
Dwarf milkwort blooms with small purple flowers in spring.
Dwarf milkwort is often seen in the grassy areas around here.
Usually written in katakana; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare; the plant is almost always written in kana.
The name ヒメハギ (himehagi) combines 姫 (hime, 'princess' or 'small and delicate') and 萩 (hagi, 'bush clover'), referring to its resemblance to a smaller, daintier version of bush clover. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.