About Barnardia japonica (Thunb.) Schult. & Schult.f.
Barnardia japonica produces a terminal raceme of small pink flowers, which is said to resemble a fox's tail, and the whole plant has an elegant shape. Its natural habitats are open slopes and forest margins. This species is cultivated as an ornamental bulb plant. In temperate climates, it needs a sunny growing position, and it flowers in autumn. In addition to the typical pink-flowered form, a white-flowered form (Scilla scilloides var. albo-viridis) is also grown in cultivation. The leaves and roots of Barnardia japonica are edible, and its bulbs can be used for medicinal purposes.
