Viola utchinensis (オキナワスミレ, Okinawa sumire) is a species of flowering plant in the family Violaceae.
| Viola utchinensis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Violaceae |
| Genus: | Viola |
| Species: | V. utchinensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Viola utchinensis | |
Taxonomy
editThe species was first described by Japanese botanist Gen-ichi Koidzumi in 1938.[2] The specific epithet relates to the type locality (Manzamo in the village of Onna) on Okinawa Island (Uchinā in Okinawan).[2]
Description
editViola utchinensis is an evergreen with ovate leaves and pale purple to purplish-white flowers.[3][4] Flowers bloom from February to April.[5]
Distribution and habitat
editViola utchinensis is endemic to Okinawa Island in the Ryūkyū Islands of Japan.[2][6]
This species can be found in crevices of raised coral reef and coastal cliffs. It grows in elevated habitat in full sun.[5]
Conservation status and threats
editViola utchinensis is classed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and Endangered on the Ministry of the Environment Red List and has been designated a National Endangered Species under the 1992 Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.[1][7][8] In 2015 the population was estimated to be between 100 - 200 mature individuals.[5]
V. utchinensis is threatened primarily by the illegal collection of specimens for cultivation. This is believed to be the biggest threat for the species.[5] The species is attractive therefore is dug up to be used as rare ornamental plant.
References
edit
- ^ a b Ministry of the Environment, Japan (2016). "Viola utchinensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T54081377A54081585. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T54081377A54081585.en. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d Koidzumi, G. (1938). "Contributiones ad Cognitioem Florae Asiae Orientalis". Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica (in Latin). 7 (2): 112–117 [113]. doi:10.18942/bunruichiri.KJ00002594478. ISSN 0001-6799.
- ^ Okinawa Prefecture, ed. (5 December 2018). レッドデータおきなわ 維管束植物 [Red Data Okinawa: Vascular Plants] (PDF) (3 ed.). Okinawa Prefecture. p. 217. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ^ Ministry of the Environment, ed. (2015). レッドデータブック2014 —日本の絶滅のおそれのある野生生物— 8 植物I（維管束植物） [Red Data Book 2014 — Threatened Wildlife of Japan — Volume 8, Vascular Plants] (in Japanese). Gyōsei Corporation. p. 257. ISBN 978-4-324-09902-5.
- ^ a b c d "Okinawa sumire Viola utchinensis". www.iucnredlist.org. 2015-10-06. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
- ^ Katō, M. [in Japanese]; Ebihara, A. [in Japanese] (March 2011). 日本の固有植物 [Endemic Plants of Japan] (in Japanese). Tokai University Press. pp. 93, 244, 331. ISBN 978-4-486-01897-1.
- ^ 維管束植物 [Vascular Plants] (in Japanese). Ministry of the Environment. 27 March 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ^ 国内希少野生動植物種一覧 [List of National Endangered Species] (in Japanese). Ministry of the Environment. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.