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
|
| Binomial name | |
| Viola utchinensis | |
Taxonomy edit
The 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 edit
Viola 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 edit
Viola 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 edit
Viola 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.