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What are the typical plants of Japan? |
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In southern Japan are many broad-leaved evergreens, such as chinquapins and evergreen oaks. As one moves north, beeches and nonevergreen oaks become common. Forests in Hokkaido in the northern part of the country often consist of conifers like the Yeddo spruce and Sakhalin fir. Because there are four distinct seasons in Japan, different types of flowers bloom during the year. Plum blossoms appear in early spring, cherry blossoms in mid-spring, hydrangeas during the rainy season in early summer, morning glories during mid-summer, and chrysanthemums in the fall.
Japanese are fond of growing these trees and flowers in their gardens, and of making a journey to see them in scenic areas. In the spring, for example, people flock under cherry trees to enjoy the light-pink blossoms, while in the fall, expeditions are made to the mountains to view the autumn foliage. Other common flowers and plants found in Japanese gardens and along streets include camellias, maples, magnolias, daphnes, and gingkos. Photos courtesy of Tokyo Metropolitan Government. |
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