Swertia japonica

Flower name
Swertia japonica
Scientific name
Swertia japonica
Alias千振
Place of origin Japan, the Korean Peninsula and China
Place of floweringFields and footpaths, Low mountains
Flowering seasonAugust, September, October, November
Language of flowers"Vibrant Beauty."

What is Swertia japonica

Swertia japonica or Senburi in Japanese (Scientific Name: Swertia japonica) is a biennial plant in the Gentian family (Gentianaceae) and native to Japan, the Korean Peninsula and China. In Japan, it naturally grows in sunny grasslands and mountain areas across Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
This plant grows to a height of 10-20 cm, with square-shaped stems that branch near the top. Its linear leaves, approximately 1.5-3 cm long, are arranged oppositely and lack petioles.
From August to November, Senburi produces a panicle inflorescence with 3-5 star-shaped flowers, each about 1.5 cm in diameter and marked with purple streaks on a white background. These five-lobed flowers open fully and resemble gentians. After blooming, spindle-shaped capsules form as fruit.

Origin of Name
The Japanese name Senburi comes from the plant’s intense bitterness—said to remain even after brewing it a thousand times.

Flower Language (Hanakotoba)
"Vibrant Beauty."

Common Name: Senburi (Japanese Gentian)
Scientific Name: Swertia japonica
Chinese Name: 日本當藥
Classification: Plantae - Angiosperms - Eudicots - Gentianales - Gentianaceae - Swertia
Native Range: Japan, Korean Peninsula
Habitat Distribution: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, in sunny grasslands and mountainous areas
Height: 10–20 cm; stems have four angles and branch out at the top
Lifespan: Biennial
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite; linear, 1.5–3 cm in length, entire margin, no petiole
Blooming Period: August to November; flowers grow in a panicle with 3–5 flowers per location, white with purple stripes, star-shaped corolla 1.5 cm in diameter with five lobes resembling a bell shape
Fruit: Capsule, spindle-shaped, 1.5 cm long, 0.2 cm wide
Uses: The entire plant is used as a stomachic herbal medicine called "Senburi" or "Toyaku."