“Unfamiliar butterfly”
A butterfly that I often saw from spring, were perched on the leaves of the doku-dami (chameleon plant). Several others were on the ground. They were “Ishigake-cho.” Ishigake means Japanese stone wall. The pattern of wings is likened to that shape. This butterfly is not known to be this peninsula. They probably entered the peninsula from south. [JUNE 2021]
Cyrestis thyodamas
ある雑木林で出会ったイシガケチョウ。半島では存在があまり知られていません。紀伊半島以南に分布していますが、北上していると考えられています。翅の模様が、石垣に見立てられてその名前があります。
“Branches on the beach”
When you enter the sandy beach from the embankment, trees are planted to keep out the sand and wind. In front of the trees, two bent branches were arranged. I didn’t see it when I visited a while ago. I wondered where came from. [JUNE 2021]
“The Asian comma”
The Asian comma is a butterfly that you often meet throughout the year. It is noticeable that many edges of the wings are cut. Under warm sunlight, it closed and opened its wings on the leaves of camphor tree. [JUNE 2021]
Polygonia c-aureum
一年を通してよく見かけるキタテハ。年に数回発生し、成虫越冬します。林縁や川原、荒れ地などさまざまな場所で出会う蝶です。
“Ghost orchid sprout”
A ghost orchid was sprouting from humus in a wooded area. The number of this ghost orchid is declining everywhere. The sprout is bending its neck. After a few days, it will stand upright and hang a number of small flowers. [JUNE 2021]
Epipogium roseum
数が減少している腐生ランのひとつ、タシロラン。初夏に腐葉土から芽生えます。立ち上がると、いくつもの花を垂らします。その姿は幽霊にも妖精にも見立てられます。
“Damselfly with black wings”
In June, black-winged damselflies appear on the water’s edge. They flutter their wings and fly softly. They don’t go far. While keeping a distance, wait for us to leave. The sight of them shining black wings in the woods is very fascinating. [JUNE 2021]
Calopteryx atrata
初夏に現れるハグロトンボ。水辺に近い林などで、黒い翅をひらひらと羽ばたかせている姿を目にします。こちらに気づくと、わずかに飛び上がり、距離をとりながら、同じ場所を行き来します。
“Japanese mallotus”
Japanese mallotus is called “Akame-gashiwa”. Akame means that the shoots in spring are red. Those red leaves stand out during the fresh green season. In early summer, wide green leaves cover the edge of the woods. Then, small spike-shaped white flowers bloom among the leaves. [JUNE 2021]
Mallotus japonicus
林のそばを歩いているとよく見かけるアカメガシワ。高木になり、春先に見られる新芽は赤く特徴的です。広い葉を茂らせる初夏に、白い花を穂状に咲かせます。赤みを帯びた葉柄も目立ちます。
“Small dragonfly”
A wetland in a woods. When I visited there on a sunny day in the rainy season, many very small dragonflies were perched on ferns and grasses. The scarlet dwarf is one of the smallest dragonflies in the world. The male has a bright red body. You can only meet the wetlands. Under the bright sunshine, they were actively flying around. [JUNE 2021]
Nannophya pygmaea
ハッチョウトンボは日本で最もちいさいトンボ。世界的にも最小の仲間です。湿地に生息し、初夏にあらわれます。多くの湿地が姿を消したことによって、数が減っているトンボです。
“Black lined limpet”
The coasts before the sun sets. Oysters, small snails and barnacles stand out in the rocky area. When I crouched down, I found a gray-blue shell. Black lined limpet is called “Matsuba-gai”. Matsuba means pine needles. It is said that the radial pattern resembles the spread of pine needles. [JUNE 2021]
Cellana nigrolineata
海岸の岩場の片隅に張り付くマツバガイ。灰青色と橙色の放射模様がきれいな貝です。このような笠の形に似た殻を持つ貝類は笠貝と呼ばれますが、カサガイという和名を持つ貝もあります。
“Chinese plantain”
The chinese plantain can be found here and there in the field. The white very small flowers on the spikes are carried by the wind when they become seeds. They are also carried on the hair of animals and the back of shoes. This grass was once used for folk medicine. It is one of the most familiar plants in human life. [JUNE 2021]
Plantago asiatica
オオバコの花は初夏に道端でよく見かけます。花茎の先に白いとても小さな花を穂状に付けます。種子は風や動物にくっついて運ばれ、生活圏を拡大していきます。民間薬にも用いられた人々にとって身近な野草です。
“White propeller flowers”
As I was walking in the woods, white propeller flowers were scattered on my feet. They were Asiatic jasmine flowers. The Asiatic jasmine is a vine that grows over other low and tall trees. The flowers on the ground were evidence of blooming above. When I brought my face close to the ground, it smelled faintly sweet. [JUNE 2021]
Trachelospermum asiaticum
林内に多いテイカカズラの花。落ち葉や水面に花が散っている様子を初夏によく目にします。英名にはジャスミンの名が付いていますが、近似種ではなく、花の香りが由来です。プロペラ型の特徴的な花の形をしています。
