Plant Observation
FES Intensive Seminar

June 23 – July 1, 2010

Megumi Iwasaki

Tsuyukusa (Asiatic Dayflower)
1. Objective Perception
Tsuyukusa (Asiatic dayflower) never stops attracting me.
It begins blooming around the summer solstice in June.
Its flowers survive the rainy season and scorching hot weather, and last for a long time -- until
around September.
Tsuyukusa gently swaying in the wind brings about a refreshing feeling in the mid-summer
sunlight.
《Leaves》
A shoot consists of two leaves and another smaller leaf.
The leaf does not have a stalk, but does have a line in the middle and a pointed cusp.
The leaves are arranged alternately, as if embracing a stalk, and grow in aspiral formation.
The three leaves gradually separate one by one and embrace the stem again. Then, a spathe
comes out from near the base of the three leaves to bear flower buds. This pattern is repeated.
The spathe has obscure lines. The pale green leaves are striped with reddish purple at theirbase.
The leaves near the root are small, and get larger toward the top.
Leaves on one stem in aggregate form an inverted triangle facing the sky.
《Flowers》
Flowers are small, measuring 1.5 to less than 2 cm.
A flower bud is formed in a doubled-up half-moon-shaped spathe whose form and structure arecompletely different from those of the leaf.
If you pry open a spathe, you can see that it is heart-shaped.
Inside, there are already several flower buds, and a degraded main axis sticking out from its
base.
When the flower blooms, the spathe opens like a door. When the flower withers, the spathecloses as if to tuck it inside.
The flower has three petals -- two blue ones that stand up like a mouse’s ears, and a white(transparent), small, pointed petal that faces down.
The two petals are very thin and transparent, but vivid blue.
The form of the corolla is a variant of a cup lying sideways. It has three transparent calyxes.

The flower is shaped like an inverted triangle.
The flowers face in all directions.
The androecium consists of a set of different-sized stamens centered around the stalk — thethree nearest to the center are the shortest, one a little bit away from the center is longer, andthe two outermost stamens are the longest. Only the two longest stamens that stick out havepollen.
Stamens without pollen are near the center of the flower, and are prominent due to their yellow
color.
A single pistil sits between the two long stamens.
《Stems》
The pale green hairless stems are striped with reddish purple.
They look dark brown toward the root.
The stems covered with soft skin are stuffed inside. When they are broken, they do not snap,
but leave long fibers.
Several nodes are formed, and from them new stems come out. Roots come out from there
later.
Some stems spread horizontally, while others grow vertically.
《Roots》
Several thick roots stick out of the ground. If dug out completely, the roots can be seen to havethin fibrous roots growing from them. The smaller roots growing from the stem are pale green.
Those growing from a water-cultured plant are white.
《Seeds》
Seeds are formed about one month after sprouting.
Three to four seeds are found in a spathe that has dried and turned brown.
The brownish-grey seeds have uneven surfaces that appear to have holes. Their shape is thatof a bullet split vertically in half, with a half-moon-shaped bottom. The seed measures 2 to 3
mm, and is light.
《Space for Growing》
Seen directly from above, the tsuyukusa plant diffuses in a radial manner. Its average height isabout 20 centimeters.
After a few flowers bloom, the plant gradually lies down as if crawling on the ground, but if otherplants grow vertically around it, the tsuyukusa does as well, to a height of about 50 centimeters,
as if cuddling with the other plants, instead of winding itself around them as climbing plants do.
The plant may trail horizontally along the ground when there are no other plants alongside it.

When the environment is difficult for survival, the plant may try to grow vertically, using otherspecies.
《Relationship with the Environment》
The tsuyukusa likes a moist environment for its habitat.
It lives in sunny places and in shady areas facing the north, if it is relatively light.
Tsuyukusa is often seen on roadsides where there are many types of plants which are called“weeds.”《Relationship with the Animal and Mineral Kingdoms》
Tsuyukusa draws ants, small moths and drone flies.
It sprouts even in cracks in concrete where there is no soil.
For pollination, it does not appear to have cooperative relationships with other living things, but
seems to allow them to live with it for survival.
《Relationship with four elements》
The flowers wilt in strong afternoon sunshine. When the plant begins to dry, the leaves roll up orwither.
The flowers are fresh, and their translucent color gives an impression of transparency.
Given that roots came out only in water in a vase, I strongly sense the plant’s strong
relationship with water among the four elements. On the other hand, given that the flowers
bloom even in rain, I think it lacks the element of fire.
《Time and Seasonal Cycle》
Tsuyukusa is an annual herb that blooms between June and September each year, and newly
sprouts the following year. When it is hot, the plant's flowers begin to open before 6 a.m., andwilt before noon. Even after the sunshine becomes mild, the flowers wilt shortly after noon.
Tsuyukusa is not affected by weather conditions. It blooms the same way even in strong
sunshine, cloudy weather and rain.
In strong sunshine, the leaves roll up inside to minimize water evaporation.
《Sensible Observation》
As the name tsuyukusa (literally, "dew herb") suggests, it looks beautiful when its leaves arecovered by morning dewdrops.
The surface of the leaves is rough to the touch, which may help them to hold dewdrops.
They do not have a strong scent that would attract insects, nor a distinct taste.
In the mouth, both the flowers and leaves are crispy, which makes me feel refreshed.
The plant as a whole gives an impression of softness with a lot of air taken into it. Only the partnear the root is hard.
With a great deal of originality, Tsuyukusa is composed of solid shapes, and has a mechanicalstructure.

When I tried to photograph tsuyukusa, I had to hold it with my hand, as it easily sways even witha mild wind.
The plant gives me the impression of air. But it is delicate and vulnerable even to minor stimuli.
《Colors》
The vivid blue gives a long-lasting impression in our hearts.
Blue Yellow Yellowish Green Reddish Purple Brown
The colors of tsuyukusa appear to correspond to the chakra colors of the upper part of thehuman body.

2. Creative Perception《Imagination from the Flowers》
Looking at the flowers that mechanically stand up vertically from the heart-shaped spathe
which opens and shuts when necessary, I sense the mechanical aspect of this plant’s
development. Tsuyukusa appears to be sending its messages to us, living in real society, not in
the future or the past, not above (in heaven) or below (Earth).
The delicate flowers tell us that we should open our minds only when necessary.
The sunlight is especially mild in the morning, so it is said that when we are exposed to morning
sunlight, the conditions of our autonomic nervous systems improve. This fact probably tells us
the importance of adjusting our biological clocks.
The petals that remind us of ears and the dummy stamens appear to tell us that we should
concentrate so that we can grasp only the truth among an abundance of information.
Tsuyukusa tells us that we should increase the speed at which we grasp information, sharpen
our ability to make calm judgments, use our creative power for others, and communicate withothers with compassion and the quietness of morning sunshine.
When we are shaken by outside stimuli, the flowers help us remember that all the truth is inside
ourselves, and that we should restore ourselves by recalling insights from our experience. They
also tell us to live our own lives.
Tsuyukusa uses the element of “yin" -- namely, centrifugal force.
The look of the plant that trails over the ground expresses “yang” functions, which transit the
momentum of power to centripetal force. This is to say, tsuyukusa keeps its balance by using
its whole body.
The flowers tells our nerves, which tend to be exhausted from strong stimuli and information

overload, that we should slow down, and take a good rest to revitalize ourselves. If we firmly
ground ourselves, they encourage us to stand up again.
Tsuyukusa appears to tell us that although everything can be complete in ourselves, expressing
ourselves to others is to convey the truth, and that it is necessary to live in harmony withothers in society.
After repeatedly experiencing words and civilization possessing the speed of bullets andexplosive power, the soul can recover true society in which people live in harmony with natureby digesting such experience. Tsuyukusa tells us how wonderful it is that humans can develop.
The Zen phrase “Hibi kore konichi (Every day is a good day)” teaches us that we should bestable emotionally when it’s fine or rainy, or whatever the weather is like, and spend each day
so that we can look back and think that it was another good day.
Tsuyukusa reminds me of this phrase because the plant blooms in any weather conditions
during summer, the season when conditions change in the harshest way.
《Affirmation》
Our hearts have brilliant visions.
Beautiful souls fostered in quiet time unify extreme aspects inside us.
We are released from suffering felt by anyone.
I am here.
Passion that easily changes and fades fills us when the time comes.
If we start over again and again with refreshed feelings, and we are in silence, we will never beconquered by strong power.
Newly-born lights come from a large source that we embrace.
Let’s accept all and trust the source.
We always resonate in the joy of loving each other.

3. Literature Research*1.2.14【Classification】Family: Commelinaceae Genus: Commelina【Scientific Name】Commelina communis

Commelina: Three 17th-century Dutch botanists were named Commelin. Two of them
became famous while the other did not. It is said that Carl von Linné
named the plant after the three botanists, as the flower has twodistinctive petals and one indistinct one.

Communis: Common【English Name】Asiatic dayflower (flower in Asia that wilts in a day)【Description】 Color of flower Blue
Petals 3
Stamens 2 (+4)
Pistil 1
Height 20 to 50 cm
Flowering season June to September
Annual herb
【Distribution】All over Japan(commonly seen in vacant lots near residential areas, plains and the roadside)
Southern parts of China, the Korean Peninsula, India【Origin of Name】
The name tsuyukusa (dew herb) is from an herb like the spirit of dewdrops.
Its old name was tsukikusa (staining herb), as its flowers’ juice often stained clothes. Until
indigo was made commonly available, tsuyukusa was used for a blue dye.
It also has the elegant name of tsukikusa (moon herb), as its petals were pounded (tsuku) in amortar to make dye, and the sound of “tsuki” remained.
Other names include boushigusa (hat herb), aibana (indigo flower), hotarugusa (firefly herb),
utsushigusa (dying herb), aobana (blue flower), hanadagusa (light indigo herb), etc.
【Floral Language】Respect【Description of Flower】*12
Four dummy stamens without yellow pollen draw insects.
More than 90 percent of tsuyukusa plants self-pollinate.
Before a flower wilts, stamens and a pistil along with the petals are rolled up like a coil spring
and wrapped in the spathe. It is believed that this process is for the plant to bring back all
nutrients to itself.
In fact, the inside part of the flower melts into a mushy state so that nutrients are absorbed fora new flower.
Here is an indication of a strong element of bisexuality.

The degraded main axis on the left. Sometimes, a flower blooms on the main axis, creating aspathe with two flowers.

【Same Family】*12.13

Oboushibana
Scientific Name : Commelina communis var. hortensis Makino
The plant is distributed across Japan, China, the Korean Peninsula and western Russia. It hasgone wild in some areas in North America. It has thick stems, and is two to three times taller
than tsuyukusa. This species is used for a dye in Japan.

Shirobana Tsuyukusa
Scientific Name : Commelina communis L.f. albiflora Makino A mutation of tsuyukusa

Murasaki Tsuyukusa
Scientific Name : Tradescantia reflexa Rafin.
Native to north America, the plant begins bearing flowers in June. Unlike tsuyukusa, it bears a
lot of buds, which open one after another. So it does not look like a species of dayflower. Since
the plant produces flowers for a long time, it is often used for observing osmotic pressure ormeiosis. The number of chromosomes is 2n=12. The variety with 2n=24 is called O-murasaki
tsuyukusa.
【As Dye】
It is said that the flower was often used for drawing sketches for Yuzen-zome dyeing since its
pigments are easily dissolved in water, and fade.
It is said that there was a worldwide controversy over this unstable blue pigment.
The pigment consists of anthocyanine and a flavone-related substance (note; Anthocyanine is a
type of flavonoid and an antioxidant).
The pigment is called commelinin, a kind of metal complex. It was named after commelina, thescientific name of tsuyukusa, when a group of Japanese flower pigmentation researchers
successfully crystallized it as a chemical substance for the first time.
Aobanagami (blue flower paper) is traditional Japanese paper saturated with the juice of day
flower petals. Craftsmen use wet brushes to let the blue seep out, and draw designs on cloth.
Also used for this purpose is oboushibana, a horticultural variety of tsuyukusa whose flowers
are as large as 4 cm in diameter. Today only 4 farmers in Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture, growthe plant in Japan.
【Effects of Colors】*3
Sunlight changes color during the day, with various tones that shift over time. The dark blue
light that covers the sky before dawn turns into light blue that wraps morning air. In theafternoon, the light becomes yellowish, and then turns reddish in the evening.
In summer, sunlight makes green look deeper.
Color therapist Theo Gimbel says blue is effective when one faces a tense situation, and that it
works on asthma, neurosis and insomnia.
Colors close to blue calm down and relax the body and lower blood pressure.
Therefore they are effective for treating insomnia.
According to the color scheme of Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), blue is used for restless patientsin color therapy.
Our hearts are filled with images of colors, and our reactions to colors are controlled by the
associated images created from our own experience or from traditional ideas rooted deeply in
our minds. The common expression “I feel blue” is an example of a learned association thatconnects sadness and the color blue.
According to the idea of human body chakras, blue is in the center of energy from the thyroid
gland, and plays a central role in creative expression through sounds. It is important both interms of communication and psychology.
In chakra theory, yellow constitutes the solar plexus, and is the light that appears in the
nervous system. It is in the center of our recognition and self respect. An uncertain situation
causes stress there. *3
An inverted triangle, the shape of the flower, focuses energy downward. So it appears that theenergy of the blue color is flowing toward the yellow of stamens in the center of the flower.
This tells us that energy flows to improve our ability to digest things by balancing ourcommunication.
【As Medicinal Herb】*9.10.11［Medicinal Properties］
Alleviation of fever; diuresis; detoxification; common cold; febrile diarrhea; tonsillitis and sorethroat; dropsy; prevention of heart diseases and cerebral thrombosis; eye diseases; eczema;
skin rash; insect bites; swellings(*In China, leaves and stems are used for medication for fever alleviation, diuresis anddetoxification.)［How to Use］
◯Reap the whole tsuyukusa plant in the flowering season, wash with water andsun-dry it in
an airy place.
◯ Put 5 – 10 grams of dried tsuyukusa into 300 – 400 cc water, and decoct it on low heat for
15 – 20 minutes. Drink the decoction up to 3 times a day.
(If you find it a bit too bitter to drink, add honey to make it sweeter.)◯ Apply the decoction to the skin. For insect bites, apply ground fresh leaves.
◯ For eye problems, clean the eyes with the juice of flowers.
◯For food, boil fresh stems and leaves for salad or for dressed vegetables.
【Comparison with Another Flower Essence】*5.6.7
Bach’s rockrose has the Japanese name hannichi bana (half-day flower).
It wilts in half a day, like tsuyukusa.
The scientific name of the rockrose/heliantbemum mumularium comes from Helios (the Sun) in
Greek. In Latin, it means “gold coin.”
Unlike tsuyukusa, it has yellow and pentacle-shaped flowers. If the rockrose is the spirit of thesun, tsuyukusa must be the spirit of the moon.
Tsuyukusa carries blue light that was born from the dark night.
Why don’t they bloom throughout the day like many other flowers?
Both appear to have created borders in time.
Those who need rockrose flower essence harbor a fear of death, suicide and mystic power
beyond the laws of nature. Tsuyukusa may express fear of birth, resonating with humans. This isbecause transmigrating souls unconsciously bear painful memories of experiences that theywent through in this world.
According to Japanese mythology, 3 gods -- Amaterasu Oumikami (the Sun Goddess),
Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto and Susanoo-no-mikoto -- were born in the same period. Tsukiyomi is
the god who wets the night.
If the rockrose absorbs the pure light of the life from the sun and reflects it, tsuyukusa
illuminates the limpid dew created by the energy of the moon in the divine time of midnight
hours.
The rockrose grows in hilly pastureland and dry rocky areas in southern parts of Britain, while
tsuyukusa grows in damp ground and shady areas. Their habitats are different, as are theirflowers and leaves. But both first extend as if to creep on the ground, and later grow vertically.
With short-lived flowers, both tsuyukusa and the rockrose expand inch by inch, apparently totell us that we should overcome our fears to reach the truth in this world, and express ourexistence in our own way.

【Flower Loved as Man’yoka】*8
Man’yoka (Man’yo flowers) are believed to have been in Japan since ancient times.
Flowers written about in poems in the Man’yoshu (the earliest extant collection of Japanese
poetry) are called Man’yoka in Japan, and Tsuyukusa is among them.
The flowers were loved by people who lived in the clean, natural environment of Japan 1300
years go.
●鴨頭草に衣色どり摺らめども 移ろふ色といふが苦しさ(Tsukikusa ni koromo irodori sumaredomo utsurouiroto iuga kurushisa.)[Meaning]
Although I want to dye my cloth with tsuyukusa, it is depressing to hear that its color changes
so easily.
[Another meaning] (expressing a woman’s worry about her lover’s possible unfaithfulness)
I think I will accept a man’s marriage proposal, but it is depressing that his heart would change
easily, like the color of tsuyukusa that fades soon.
【Insights from Literature Research】
The effects of the color blue — calming and making breathing easier — and the plant’s
relationship with water found in observations of the energy of the thyroid gland in chakra theory
are linked with the herb’s efficacy.
I expect tsuyukusa to be effective for today’s lifestyle-related illnesses, as substances
contained in the flowers have antioxidation effects. The feeling of water in the concept of YinYan and Wu Xing (five elements) indicates fear. *10
The ancient poem about the poet’s hidden feelings also contains worries. Tsuyukusa appears to
be sending its message to fears that have yet to come.
The blue of tsuyukusa that fleetingly disappears has been used for drawing sketches ofJapanese folk costumes.
The blue seems to have been already imprinted in the blueprints of our memories.
The energy of the moon is a theme of meta-level one. Tsuyukusa heals habits that had been
already formed by the time the soul begins to dwell in the body. This may be related to bodyfluid-level issues including that of semen.
The energy of tsuyukusa’s blue flows to yellow, possibly to heal fears of something unknown
that come from our traumatic memories of the distant past world or from our habits, the fears
felt when we were born, and even the nervous system that was harmed by the fears at the timeof birth.
Key phrases: Fears felt at the time of birth / Karma from the past world / Blueprints /Transmission of information / No. 5, No. 3 chakra《Bibliography》

*1 “Field Guide of Flowers, Summer” written and edited by Picchio (Jitsughyo no Nihon Sha)
*2 “Hana To Ha De Wakaru Sanyasou Zukan” supervised by Yoshitaka Takahashi (Seibido
Shuppan)*3 “The Book of Color Healing” written by Theo Gimbel (Gaia Books)*4 “Flower Essence Repertory” written by Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz (BAB Japan)*5 “Collected Writings of Edward Bach” written by Edward Bach, edited by Julian Barnard (BAB
Japan)*6 “The Healing Herbs of Edward Bach” written by Julian and Martine Barnard (BAB Japan)*7 “Man’yoka Shokubutu-hen” written by Iwao Yatomi (Nippon Ripuro)*8 “Medical Plants in Japan” supervised by Yutaka Sashida (Gakken)*9 “Inyo Gogyo” supervised by Akeshi Kiba (Tanko Sha)
《Internet》*10 Yanagidou Yakkyoku http://www.yanagidou.co.jp/syouyaku-yakusou-ousekisou.html*11 E-yakkyoku dot com http://www.e-yakusou.com/sou/sou269.htm*12 No-no-shokubutu 100 sen http://research.kahaku.go.jp/botany/wild_p100/index.html*13 Okayama University of Science (Hada’s Home Page, Department of Biosphere-Geosphere
System Science, Faculty of Informatics)
http://had0.big.ous.ac.jp/plantsdic/angiospermae/monocotyledoneae/commelinaceae/murasakitsuyukus
a/murasakitsuyukusa.htm*14 Digital Daijisen (Shogakukan)