Underrated spring blooms: katakuri

Dogtooth violets, or katakuri (カタクリ) in Japanese, are relatively underrated compared to spring icons like sakura or ume.

They have a pretty brief blooming period, for around a week or two in early spring. I feel like this means unless you’re purposely seeking them out, you’re probably unlikely to encounter them. Also, typically they grow on forest floors and mountain foothills (nice, shaded areas) rather than in urban parks or cities. Because of that, you end up often having to hike (quite literally) to find them.

They weren’t a flower that I knew about until living in the countryside, but I enjoy them a great deal as a springtime bloom that is still pretty under the radar.

Have you seen katakuri growing in your local area?