Yabumyoga

Pollia japonica

Flower name
Yabumyoga
Scientific name
Pollia japonica
AliasMyoga, 茗荷, 花茗荷, Myoga ginger, Japanese ginger
Place of originEast Asia　
Place of floweringFields and footpaths
Flowering seasonAugust, September, October

What is Yabumyoga

Yabumyoga ,pollia japonica or East Asian pollia(Pollia japonica) is a perennial herb belonging to the family Commelinaceae, order Commelinales. It is native to the regions west of the Kanto area in Japan, where it grows in clusters on moist ground in mountains and fields.

The plant grows to a height of 50–100 cm. The leaves are elliptical and alternately arranged. From August to October, it produces panicle inflorescences at the tip of the slender stem, bearing numerous small white flowers with three petals and three sepals, each with a corolla diameter of about 0.8 cm. Both bisexual and male flowers appear on the same plant.

After flowering, green spherical fruits are produced, which turn dark purple upon ripening.

Origin of the Name: The plant's name comes from its leaves, which resemble those of the vegetable myoga (Zingiber mioga). However, Zingiber mioga, a perennial plant of the ginger family, is used as a food ingredient, while Yabumyoga is not edible.

Common Name: Yabumyoga
Scientific Name: Pollia japonica
Classification: Kingdom Plantae, Angiosperms, Class Monocots, Order Commelinales, Family Commelinaceae, Genus Pollia
Distribution: West of the Kanto region in Japan
Habitat: Moist areas in mountains and fields
Life Form: Perennial herb
Height: 50–100 cm
Leaf Shape: Elliptical, Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Blooming Period: August to October
Inflorescence: Panicle, Flower Diameter: 0.8 cm, Flower Color: White, Number of Petals: 3, Number of Sepals: 3
Fruit Shape: Spherical, Fruit Color: Green turning to dark purple
Special Note: Produces both bisexual and male flowers.