peppermint stick; Alpinia japonica
A perennial evergreen plant native to Japan, known for its aromatic leaves and use in traditional medicine and cuisine.
Alpinia japonica grows wild in moist mountainous areas.
The leaves of the peppermint stick have a distinctive fragrance.
Katakana spelling is common for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; the plant is normally written in kana.
The name combines 花 (flower) and 茗荷 (myoga, a related ginger plant), referring to its showy flowers. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.