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| Nature's flower garden of alpine plants |
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Chinguruma
(Geum pontapetalum)
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| The plant was named after a small toy wind-mill because its flowers have feathery seeds that form a ring-like shape. Large colonies of the plant grow in damp/wet areas. The plant's flowers, seeds, and fall foliage all produce vivid colors and it is known as an exemplary alpine species. Its seeds are spread by the wind. Plants of this species which have light red flowers are called Tateyama Chinguruma, and those exhibiting double flowering are called Yae Chinguruma. |
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Kibana Shakunage
(Rododendron aureum)
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| Kibana Shakunage grows in plant colonies in high mountain altitudes, often growing among creeping pines. Its thick stems grow by 'creeping' along the ground as they branch their way out. The golden-color flowers turn red as they age. Plants of this species with white flowers are called Goshiki Shakunage, and those exhibiting double flowering are called Yae Kibana Shakunage |
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Ezo Notsuga Sakura
(Phyllodoce carulea;Babington)
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| The growth pattern of this plant is often characterized by interspersion among rocks and stones on a craggy surface, however when it grows on grassland terrain it forms large colonies. Various hybrids appear in areas where Ao Notsuga Sakura grows nearby. Apart from hybrids, the white-flower variety is called Shirobana Ezo Notsuga Sakura and has jar-shaped round or oval corollas. The species is distributed in high mountain areas and cold regions in the northern hemisphere. |
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Ezo Ko-Zakura
(Primula cuneifolia)
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| We can see the largest colonies of this plant species in this area, particularly in the Yukida region of Mt. Daisetsu. This species is the mother species of Hakusan Ko-Zakura and Michinoku Ko-Zakura in Aomori. Its flowers are slightly larger and its color somewhat darker, however. It has anywhere from three to 11 fimbriations on the upper half of its leaves. A variety of this plant having white flowers is classified as Shirobara Ezo Ko-Zakura. |
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Iso Tsutsuji
(Ledum palustre)
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| It often grows in large colonies and is also known as Ezo Iso Tsutsuji ("Ezo" is a Japanese word meaning Hokkaido). According to one report, the indigenous Ainu people used the leaves of this plant to make a type of herbal drink. A smaller sub-species called Hime Iso Tsutsuji can also be seen in the Mt. Daisetsu area. Presumably due to some type of chemical resistance, it sometimes even grows near sulfurous fumaroles. Its flowers bloom together forming a spherical shape. |
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