“Flower like a wave”
On a sunny early summer day, some purple flowers were blooming on the edge of the woods. The Japanese skullcaps is called “Tatsunami-sou”. Tatsunami means that the waves are rising. It was named after the shape of a bubbling wave-like flower. There are many similar species. [JUNE 2021]
Scutellaria indica
むらさき色で、首をもたげたような花が特徴的なタツナミソウ。初夏に林縁などで見かけます。シソ科タツナミソウ属は数多く、一見しただけでは分からないことも多くあります。
“Fallen red fruits”
The fruits of Yamamomo (red bayberry) is a blessing of a wooded area in early summer. This berry is sweet and sour and once eaten by children as a snack. It is food for many lives, not just children. [JUNE 2021]
Morella rubra
初夏に歩いていると、林床や道端にたくさんの朱い実が落ちているのを見かけます。ヤマモモの実は甘酸っぱく、食べることができます。半島には多くのヤマモモが自生しています。
“Pink evening primrose”
In front of a shrine. Evening primroses were in bloom in the gaps in the asphalt. This evening primrose is often found on the side of the road in the city, and in bloom day and night. The light pink and white flowers shine on moonlit night in early summer. [JUNE 2021]
Oenothera speciosa
初夏に花を咲かせるヒルザキツキミソウ。宵待草の仲間で、夜でも花が咲いています。昼間、ピンクと白のグラデーションは目立ちますが、薄暗い月下に咲いている姿も印象的です。
“Butterfly with eye pattern”
On the ground of the field, a dark-colored butterfly fluttered. It has some eye patterns with its wings. Hikage-cho (means butterfly in the shade) is a member of bush-footed butterfly. When walking down the wooded area, it appears quickly, it will be hidden among the trees again. [MAY 2021]
Lethe sicelis
ヒカゲチョウはタテハチョウ科の蝶。その中でジャノメチョウの仲間は、翅に眼状紋があります。ジャノメチョウの仲間は数多く、眼状紋の数や配置などで見分けます。ヒカゲチョウの仲間には、体が黒いクロヒカゲなどがいます。ヒカゲチョウは雑木林や林縁を歩いていると、木の間からしばしば現れます。
“Pink little orchid”
From May to June, you may see small pink flowers in the park. The flowers bloom spirally from the lower part to the top around stem. This pink flower appears in the same place every year. It’s small and quiet flower, but its appearance is beautiful. [JUNE 2021]
Spiranthes sinensis
ネジバナはちいさなラン科の植物。ピンク色の花を茎に沿ってらせん状に下から上に咲かせます。公園や植え込みなどの同じ場所に毎年あらわれます。
“Bird’s nest”
In the woods, a bird’s nest had fallen on the bank of stream. A nest woven from the fibers of the same plant. It must have fallen from the tree due to the wind and rain. [MAY 2021]
“Beach pea”
Beach peas color a part of beach in May in purple. Before the sunset, the beach pea that shines on the dim beach is fantastic. [MAY 2021]
Lathyrus japonicus
４月下旬頃から浜辺に咲くハマエンドウ。むらさきの花の色味は少しずつ異なります。斜陽にあたると、幻想的に輝いて見えます。
“Blue admiral larva”
A butterfly larva is eating the leaf of the greenbrier. Its adult is a blue admiral. Since it spends winter with adults, it appears early in spring field. This larva will grow up in the summer. The orange pattern stands out. [MAY 2021]
Kaniska canace
ルリタテハの幼虫はオレンジ色の模様が目立ちます。サルトリイバラなどを食草とします。初夏から秋にかけて現れ、秋に出現した個体は成虫で越冬し、春、いち早く活動をはじめます。
“Nettle-tree butterfly”
The day after the rain, a butterfly is absorbing water in a puddle. Nettle-tree butterfly. It often appears near the woods. The pointed head is characteristic. [MAY 2021]
Libythea celtis
尖った頭が特徴的なテングチョウ。初夏にあらわれますが、成虫越冬するので３月ごろにも活動している様子を見かけます。近づくと素早く動き、なかなか接近して見られません。
“White flower on the beach”
In early summer, many flowers bloom on the beach. The siberian sea flower is a flower whose number is decreasing. The habitat is limited. Invited by sweet scent, insects come. [APRIL 2021]
Heliotropium japonicum
４月の終わりごろから花を咲かせるスナビキソウ。砂浜に深く根を伸ばし、白い花を咲かせます。甘い香りに誘われて虫たちが訪れます。生育地の減っている海浜植物です。