Species information
Scientific name: Styrax japonicus
Japanese name: エゴノキ
Chinese name: 野茉莉
English name: Japanese snowbell
Origin: Widely distributed from Hokkaido to Kyushu, Okinawa, Taiwan, China, and Korea
Ecology and description
Japanese snowbell adapts to relatively open forest environments and is therefore one of the common tree species along roadside areas in the Yambaru region. Although usually inconspicuous, Japanese snowbell becomes remarkably noticeable when it blooms in winter. While driving through the Yambaru forest roads, you can often see white flowers scattered on the roads and forest floor, resembling a layer of white carpet, with a rich fragrance in the air.
The number of petals on Japanese snowbell flowers exhibits some variability; you can observe flowers with 4 to 8 petals, with 5 and 6 petals being more common. Additionally, occasionally, there are individuals with pink petals. Such variations in flower color have been cultivated, and now there are cultivated varieties with pink flowers.
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
During February on the forest roads in the Yambaru region, you can see Japanese snowbell in bloom.
