October 21, 2012

Hototogisu (Tricyrtis hirta) flowers in Tokei-ji


This plant is named "Hototogisu" because its flower petals have the scattered dots which resemble the marking on the abdomen of the migratory bird with the same name.

Hototogisu birds, which warble serenades beautifully in the midnights of early summer, had migrated south long before.

In the sunny quiet garden of late autumn, these small flowers with purple polka dots seem to be warbling inaudibly for trying to prevent this crisp season from leaving too soon.

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