also: すみれさいしん
Viola vaginata; a species of violet
A specific violet species native to Japan; botanical term. Usually written in katakana.
Viola vaginata grows in moist mountainous areas.
Hiragana spelling, also used.
Kanji form is rarely used; the plant name is almost always written in kana.
The name combines 菫 (sumire, 'violet') and 細辛 (saishin, referring to wild ginger or Asarum-like plants), likely from the leaf shape resembling wild ginger.