Species information Scientific name: Rubus grayanusJapanese name: リュウキュウキイチゴChinese name: 中南懸鉤子English name: Ryukyu RaspberryOrigin: China, and in Japan from Tanegashima and Yakushima southwards Ecology and description Ryukyu Raspberry is the most common and abundant raspberry species in the Yambaru area. In winter, large white flowers can be seen along forest roads. Since the flowers bloom downwards,… Continue reading Ryukyu Raspberry
Category: Plants
Actinidia rufa
Species information Scientific name: Actinidia rufaJapanese name: シマサルナシChinese name: 腺齒獼猴桃English name: Actinidia rufaOrigin: Southern Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, northern Taiwan, islands in southwestern Korea Ecology and description Actinidia rufa is a close relative of the kiwifruit, and it is a vine, not a tree. People living in Yambaru used to pick and eat the fruit… Continue reading Actinidia rufa
Hibiscus makinoi
Species information Scientific name: Hibiscus makinoiJapanese name: サキシマフヨウChinese name: 牧野氏山芙蓉English name: Hibiscus makinoiOrigin: The Goto Islands in Nagasaki; the Koshikijima Islands, Tanegashima and Yakushima in Kagoshima; the Ryukyu Islands; eastern and southern Taiwan Ecology and description Hibiscus makinoi flowers from autumn to winter. In late autumn, seeing its pink flowers in bloom all over the… Continue reading Hibiscus makinoi
Rubus okinawensis
Species information Scientific name: Rubus okinawensisJapanese name: リュウキュウバライチゴChinese name: 沖繩懸鉤子English name: Rubus okinawensisOrigin: Southern Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description There are three common Rubus species in the Yambaru area of Okinawa, and this is one of them. The Japanese name means “Ryukyu rose raspberry.” Its leaves resemble those of a rose, and it is… Continue reading Rubus okinawensis
Itajii chinkapin
Species information Scientific name: Castanopsis sieboldii var. lutchuensisJapanese name: イタジイChinese name: 長果椎、長果錐English name: Itajii chinkapinOrigin: Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Izenajima, Kerama Islands, Kumejima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Yonaguni Ecology and description Found south of Amami Oshima, Itajii chinkapin is one of the varieties of Castanopsis sieboldii (var. lutchuensis) and one of the most dominant… Continue reading Itajii chinkapin
Alpinia intermedia
Species information Scientific name: Alpinia intermediaJapanese name: アオノクマタケランChinese name: 山月桃、光葉山薑English name: Alpinia intermediaOrigin: Japan (Izu Islands, Kii Peninsula, Shikoku, Kyushu, Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands, Miyakojima, Yaeyama Islands), Taiwan, China, Philippines Ecology and description In June, the white flowers of this species can be seen in the forest understory. The erect, panicle-shaped inflorescences look like tiny… Continue reading Alpinia intermedia