Harujion

Harujion (ハルジオン) is the Japanese name for Erigeron philadelphicus, commonly known in English as Philadelphia fleabane or common fleabane. It is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family (Asteraceae).

Harujion is a perennial herb native to North America but widely naturalized in other parts of the world, including Japan. It is often found in disturbed areas, such as fields, roadsides, and urban environments.

The plant typically grows to a height of 30-70 centimeters (12-28 inches). It features a slender, erect stem that is often branched. The leaves are lance-shaped and arranged alternately along the stem. The basal leaves are larger and have petioles, while the upper leaves are smaller and sessile.

The flowers are daisy-like, with numerous ray florets surrounding a yellow central disk. The ray florets are typically white or pale pink, sometimes becoming purplish with age. The flowering season is typically from spring to early summer, hence the name "harujion" which combines "haru" (春), meaning spring, and possibly references the shion (紫苑), a different Asteraceae plant, due to the visual similarity.

In Japan, harujion is considered a common weed. While it does not hold significant cultural or economic importance, it is a recognizable plant in the Japanese landscape and is sometimes mentioned in literature and art to evoke a sense of the everyday or the changing seasons. It is also sometimes confused with the similar-looking himejoon (Erigeron annuus, annual fleabane). Distinguishing features between harujion and himejoon are often based on stem characteristics (e.g., hollow versus solid) and the orientation of the flower heads.