Family: Mazaceae (formerly in
Scrophulariaceae)
Common Name: Japanese Mazus
Region: Native to East Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea. Naturalized in parts of North America.
Habitat: Moist, shady areas such as along streams, forest floors, and wet meadows. It often grows in disturbed soils but prefers more shaded environments than
Bonnaya antipoda.
BotanyForm: Low-growing, creeping perennial herb, typically forming a mat of small stems and leaves, usually less than 15 cm tall.
Leaves: Basal rosettes or alternate, with simple, ovate leaves that are slightly toothed.
Inflorescence: Small, tubular flowers borne on short stalks, typically found among the leaves.
Flowers:
Corolla: Tubular, bilaterally symmetrical, with a distinct upper and lower lip. Flowers are pale purple, violet, or white with yellow markings in the throat.
Stamens: Two stamens, unlike
Bonnaya antipoda, which has four.
Ovary: Superior, developing into a small capsule.
Fruit: A small, dry capsule, releasing seeds upon maturity.
Pollinators: Insect-pollinated, typically by small bees and flies.