Species information
Scientific name: Symplocos liukiuensis liukiuensis
Japanese name: アオバナハイノキ
Chinese name: 青花灰木
English name: Ryukyu sweetleaf
Origin: Okinoerabujima, Okinawajima
Ecology and description
This subspecies is endemic to Okinoerabujima and Okinawajima. Another subspecies, S. liukiuensis iriomotensis, is found only on Iriomote. In February, small purple flowers bloom that are very cute, attracting poachers and making the wild population scarce.
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
Blooming Ryukyu sweetleaf can be seen during our mid-February 【Morning Birding】 or 【Forest Walk】 tours, but these trees only bloom once every few years, so they may not bloom at the same location the following year.
