Eriocaulon nudicuspe

Flower name
Eriocaulon nudicuspe
Scientific name
Eriocaulon nudicuspe
Alias白玉星草, 金平糖草, コンペイトウ, コンペイトウグサ, 金平糖
Place of originendemic to Japan
Place of floweringWetlands, Specific area
Flowering seasonAugust, September, October

What is Eriocaulon nudicuspe

Eriocaulon nudicuspe commonly called as Shiratama Hoshikusa in Japanese (Eriocaulon nudicuspe) is an annual plant native to Japan and a member of the Eriocaulaceae family and Eriocaulon genus. Due to the shape of its flowers, it is also known as "Konpeito" (a type of sugar candy) or "Konpeito Grass." This plant is primarily found in marshes along the coast of Ise Bay in the Tokai region (Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures).

It grows to a height of 20-40 cm. The leaves are basal, measuring 15-20 cm in length and 0.2 cm in width, with needle-like pointed tips. The flower stems are thin and soft but twisted in such a way that they can stand upright. From August to October, it produces a single white flower head, 0.7-1 cm in diameter, at the top of each stem. Each tiny flower in the flower head is about 0.2 cm in diameter. The small flowers are grayish-yellow but appear white due to the white hairs on them. The flowers have a sweet and sour fragrance.

Origin of the Name
The Japanese name "Shiratama Hoshikusa" comes from the image of a white, spherical plant that blooms as if sprinkled all over the sky. The genus name "Eriocaulon" is a compound of the Latin words "erion" (parchment or soft hair) and "caulos" (stem), meaning "stem with soft hair." The species name "nudicuspe" is a combination of "nudi" (bare) and "cuspe" (head).

Medicinal Uses
The flower heads and stems are used as raw materials for pharmaceuticals.

Related Species

Hoshikusa (Eriocaulon cinereum)
Kuro Hoshikusa (E. parvum)
Gomashio Hoshikusa (E. senile)

Common Name: Eriocaulon nudicuspe commonly called as Shiratama Hoshikusa in Japanese
Scientific Name: Eriocaulon nudicuspe
Also known as: Konpeito
Native to: Japan
Habitat: Tokai region (Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures), coastal hills along Ise Bay, thrives in slightly acidic wetland springs
Classification: Plantae, Angiosperms, Monocots, Poales, Eriocaulaceae, Eriocaulon, Eriocaulon nudicuspe
Plant height: 20-40 cm
Leaves: Basal, linear, 15-20 cm long, 0.2 cm wide
Flowering season: August to October
Flower type: Head inflorescence, spherical, flower head diameter 0.7-1 cm, each flower 0.2 cm in diameter, white flowers, 3 petals, 3-chambered ovary, 3-lobed stigma, 6 stamens, black anthers
Fruit type: Capsule, with 3 seeds
Note: Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the Red List of the Ministry of the Environment of Japan