Camellia lutchuensis
Theaceae
- Range
- Endemic to the Ryukyu Islands(Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabu-jima, Okinawa Island, Kume-jima, Ishigaki-jima, and Iriomote Island)
In the diorama, it bears a number of nodding white flowers.
This species of camellia is typically found in mountainous areas. From autumn to early spring, it produces delicate white flowers. On Tokunoshima, its close relative, sasanqua, can also be seen, blooming around the same time. While the flowers of sasanqua open wide, those of this species remain partially closed and nod downward, making them easier to identify. Although it has long been thought that Tokunoshima was the northern limit of its distribution, recent reports confirm its presence on Amami-Oshima.
Habitat of This Animal:
B:Forest along the mountain ridge - B3:Forest near the mountain peak
Cloud forests with high humidity where fog develops frequently grow in the mountains of high altitudes in tropical and subtropical zones. In Tokunoshima Island, such cloud forests are found mainly near the peak of Mt. Inokawadake. Because solar radiation is limited, the trees here are lower than forests in lowlands. Here, many epiphytes, ferns, and bryophytes can be found not only on the ground but also on tree trunks and branches.
This B3:Forest near the mountain peak