Others have suggested that hangeshō, written with slightly different characters '半化粧', is a reference to the leaves turning partly white during blooming season.

'半化粧' could be translated as 'half finished make-up' or 'wearing only half make-up'.

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It is not clear how hangeshō got its name.

For some it's because the plant's leaves turn white around the last seed-sowing day, the 11th day after the summer solstice.
July 2nd-6th in the ancient calendar, 'Hangeshōzu' (半夏生 'crow-dipper sprouts'), was named after the plant.

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