Bredia okinawensis Japanese name: コバノミヤマノボタンChinese name: 小葉深山野牡丹English name: Okinawa BrediaOrigin: Endemic to the northern part of Okinawajima This species is endemic to the Yambaru region in northern Okinawajima. It can be distinguished from the commonly seen Melastoma candidum, which has larger flowers with five petals. Okinawa Bredia typically has smaller flowers with four petals and… Continue reading Okinawa Bredia
Category: plant
Yaeyama Palm
Satakentia liukiuensis Japanese name: ヤエヤマヤシChinese name: 八重山椰子English name: Yaeyama PalmOrigin: Ishigakijima and Iriomotejima This palm species can grow up to 25 meters tall and is a rare plant belonging to a monotypic genus. It is endemic to the Yaeyama Islands, and only three natural populations are currently known. However, it is widely planted as a… Continue reading Yaeyama Palm
Okinawa needlewood tree
Schima wallichii ssp. Japanese name: イジュChinese name: 西南木荷、紅木荷English name: Okinawa needlewood treeOrigin: This species is widely distributed in Southeast Asia. In Japan, it is found in the Ryukyu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands. Schima wallichii is distributed mainly in the Ogasawara and Ryukyu Islands in Japan. The populations in these two regions differ slightly in appearance,… Continue reading Okinawa needlewood tree
Ryukyu Sweetleaf
Symplocos liukiuensis liukiuensis Japanese name: アオバナハイノキChinese name: 青花灰木English name: Ryukyu SweetleafOrigin: Endemic to Okinoerabujima and Okinawajima This subspecies is endemic to Okinoerabujima and Okinawajima. A related subspecies, Symplocos liukiuensis iriomotensis (Iriomote Sweetleaf), is found only on Iriomotejima. It produces small, delicate purple flowers around February, which are highly ornamental. Unfortunately, its beauty has led to… Continue reading Ryukyu Sweetleaf
Goodyera hachijoensis
Goodyera hachijoensis var. matsumurana Japanese Name: カゴメランChinese Name: 銀線蓮、假金線蓮English Name: Goodyera hachijoensisOrigin: Izu Islands, Yakushima, Tokara Islands, Okinawa Islands, Amami Oshima, Yaeyama Islands, Taiwan Goodyera hachijoensis has also been recorded from Okinawajima, but the number of individuals is very low, making it an extremely rare plant. Due to frequent illegal collection, strong conservation efforts are… Continue reading Goodyera hachijoensis
Rusty-leaf Mucuna
Mucuna macrocarpa Japanese Name: イルカンダChinese Name: 血藤English Name: Rusty-leaf MucunaOrigin: Southern China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Amami Islands to Okinawa Islands, India The Japanese name Irukanda comes from the Okinawan dialect, where Iru means “color” and Kanda refers to “vine.” This species is common in the forests of Yambaru. From March to May, its flowers bloom in… Continue reading Rusty-leaf Mucuna