KOBE -- A type of mountain hydrangea, once so rarely seen it was dubbed the "phantom hydrangea," is in full bloom at the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden in Nada Ward, Kobe.
According to the garden, the variety known as "shichidanka" in Japanese is characterized by its many overlapping petals. In the Edo period (1603-1867), noted physician and naturalist Philipp Franz von Siebold referred to it in his publication "Flora Japonica."
For many years, the existence of shichidanka had not been confirmed until it was rediscovered in 1959 on Mt. Rokko. The beautiful blue petals are said to result from the acidic soil of the mountain. It has since spread to other locations.
About 200 stalks are in bloom at the botanical garden through mid-July. On Sunday, visitors to the park observed the blue flowers as they glistened in a occasional drizzle.
"It is small and elegant," said Shoji Mukai, 78, of Kobe. "It's very beautiful."
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