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Spider Flower
Cleome gynandra
ギョボウシ
An annual herb native to South Asia, naturalized in warm regions of Japan such as Okinawa and the Ogasawara Islands. Characterized by 4 white to pale purple petals and long protruding stamens, with a strong odor throughout the plant.
Identification Points
- ✓Four petals with long protruding stamens resembling spider legs
- ✓Palmate compound leaves with 5–7 leaflets
- ✓Covered with glandular hairs throughout, with a distinctive odor
Habitat
Roadsides, vacant lots, and coastal areas in warm regions
Season
August–October (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf shape
Palmate
Phylogenetic Positionフウチョウソウ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core Eudicots > Brassicales > Capparaceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene (ca. 70 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Capparaceae (Cleomaceae) belongs to Brassicales and is closely related to Brassicaceae, sharing glucosinolates (mustard oil glycosides).
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification