They include academically important plants whose names include the geographical name of "Ashiu," such as Ashiu-sugi (Cryptomeria japonica var. radicans) and Ashiu-tennansho (Arisaema robustum var. ovale) that produce their offspring in the following way specific to areas with heavy snowfall: When snow accumulates on their lower branches, they come to touch the ground due to the weight of the snow, causing this part to become independent and grow on its own from the ground.
その中には、下枝が雪の重みで接地することで茎伏せし、やがて一個体として独立して増殖する、多雪地帯に特有の伏条更新を行うことで知られるアシウスギやアシウテンナンショウのように「芦生」の地名を冠した学術上貴重な植物が含まれている。