Isunoki witch hazel
Hamamelidaceae
- Range
- Mainland Japan(west of Shizuoka), Shikoku, Kyushu, the Ryukyu Islands, Jeju Island, Taiwan, and China
This tree is one of the key species in the Ryukyu evergreen broadleaved forests. Its leaves often bear insect galls. In areas where this tree dominates and large trees of this species can be found, flora and fauna typically seen only in deep forests are observed, serving as indicators of the forest ecosystem. The roots do not spread widely and are resistant to pruning, making it a popular choice for windbreaks during the mid-Showa era (1940s to 1960s). Its hard wood is used for making abacus beads and shamisen necks. While valued for its durability, it is also challenging to work with, earning it the nickname "a wood that makes carpenters cry."
Habitat of This Animal:
A:Forest along the valley - A3:Deep forest
Along the mountain valleys grows a high humidity forest. In such an environment, Quercus miyagii, a species of oak often grows in clusters. Some of these grow more than 20m tall and with trunk diameters exceeding 1m, with largely developed buttress roots. Also, there are many animals and plants preferring humid environments, supporting the abundant biota of Tokunoshima Island together with the forest along mountain ridges.
This A3:Deep forest