Mazus miquelii

Mazus miquelii f. albiflorus

Flower name
Mazus miquelii
Scientific name
Mazus miquelii f. albiflorus
Alias鷺苔, Miquel's mazus, 白花鷺苔
Place of originJapan, China
Place of floweringFields and footpaths
Flowering seasonApril, May

What is Mazus miquelii

White-flowered Mazus (Mazus miquelii f. albiflorus) is a white-flowered variety of Mazus miquelii, a member of the family Mazaceae and genus Mazus,
native to Japan and China. It is a creeping perennial herb.
It is called "White-flowered Mazus".

In Japan, it is a wildflower found in wetlands such as paddy field ridges from Honshu to Kyushu.
The leaves are small and oblong, and they grow alternately on the stem.
The plant height is 10–15 cm, and the stems grow upright or ascending.

Usually, Mazus miquelii produces purple flowers, but there are also white-flowered ones.
A similar species in the same genus is Mazus pumilus (commonly known as "Tokiwahaze").

Origin of the Flower Name

The Japanese name "Shirobana Sagigoke (白花鷺苔)" comes from the appearance of its small white flowers resembling an egret (鷺) in flight.

Differences between Tokiwahaze and Shirobana Sagigoke

The white-flowered variety of Mazus pumilus and Shirobana Sagigoke look similar.
The differences are as follows:

Mazus miquelii has larger flowers (Mazus miquelii: 1–2 cm, Mazus pumilus: 0.5 cm)
Mazus pumilus blooms year-round; Mazus miquelii blooms in spring
Mazus pumilus does not produce runners, while Mazus miquelii does

Common name: White-flowered Mazus (Shirobana Sagigoke)
Scientific name: Mazus miquelii f. albiflorus
Other name: White-flowered Mazus
Classification: Plantae, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Lamiales, Mazaceae, Mazus
Origin: Japan, China, Taiwan
Habitat: Wetlands such as ridges from Honshu to Kyushu
Plant height: 10–15 cm
Leaf types: Basal and stem leaves
Basal leaves: Rosette type, with petioles; length: 3–7 cm, width: 1 cm; shape: spatulate; margin: coarsely toothed
Stem leaves: Short; shape: ovate; length: 1.5–4 cm, width: 1.5–2 cm; margin: toothed

Flowering season: April to May
Inflorescence type: Raceme
Flower location: Terminal
Flower arrangement: Sparse
Corolla type: Bilabiate, tongue-shaped
Upper lip: Lanceolate, 2-lobed, and facing upward
Lower lip: 3-lobed at the tip, with two ridges with scattered brown spots on a white background in the center
Flower length: 1.5–2 cm
Flower diameter: 1–2 cm
Flower color: White
Stamens: 4
Pistils: 1
Fruit type: Capsule
Fruit shape: Spherical
Fruit length: 0.4 cm
Feature: Has runners
Use: Ground cover