Saxifraga Stolonifera (Strawberry Geranium) 雪の下（ユキノシタ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is Saxifraga stolonifera or more commonly known as strawberry geranium. The shape of the flowers is so pretty that I always stop to see them closely.

The flower shape must have made people think of many things and come up with names after these things such as "Aaron's beard" and 鴨足草 (a Japanese name meaning "duck's feet"), but to me, the flowers just look like persons floating in the air, extending their arms and legs. By the way, in China, not the flower but its round leaves reminded people of "tiger's ears," which has become the plant's name.  

Its most common Japanese name is "雪の下," meaning "under snow" because the plant grows green leaves even under snow.

Saxifraga stolonifera 雪の下

Strawberry geranium ユキノシタ

Saxifraga Stolonifera (Creeping Saxifrage) 雪の下（ユキノシタ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is saxifraga stolonifera or more commonly creeping saxifrage. I first thought that parts of the three petals were gone, but I was mistaken. The flowers are just what they should be, i.e., three small petals and two big ones, which, when combined, looks like a samurai wearing a kamishimo or an old ceremonial dress.

 

Saxifraga stolonifera 雪の下