スミレの山　高尾山⑱　ノジスミレ Takao, the mountain of violets: No.18 Noji-sumire

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高尾山は、知る人ぞ知るスミレの山。
日本では、約５０種のスミレの野生種(*1)が確認されていますが、高尾にはそのうち１８種が自生している(*2)と言われています。高尾山ならびにその周辺では、毎年３月上旬から５月下旬にかけて、あちこちで可憐なスミレの花々を観察することができます。

Mt. Takao is known as habitats for a wide variety of wild violet flowers (in Japanese, sumire, or “Sue-Mee-Ray”). In Japan, about 50 species of wild violets (*1) have been confirmed, and 18 of them are said to grow naturally in the Mt. Takao area(*2). Every year from the beginning of March to the end of May, you can find pretty violet flowers all over the place in Mt. Takao and its surroundings.

(Stealing and vandalizing wild plants in the areas designated under the Natural Parks Act are illegal and subject to a criminal charge.)
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ノジスミレは、スミレやアリアケスミレと同じく、人里近くに咲くもっとも身近なスミレのひとつです。この種も大変強靭で、河原、畦道や路傍のみならず、舗装された道路の割れ目にも力強くその花を咲かせる姿を見つけることができます。

Noji-sumire (Viola yedoensis) are one of the most familiar violets found near human settlements, like Sumire (Viola mandshurica) and Ariake-sumire (Viola betonicifolia var. albescens). Like this clan of violets found near human habitation, this species is also very tough. You can find them blooming not only in riverbeds, ridges and roadsides, but also, vigorously, in the cracks in paved roads.

全体的な見かけはスミレに似ているのですが、全体的に一回り小さいことと、葉の特徴がスミレとは若干違うこと、また、多くの個体において、花弁が波打ったような形になること、そして距が細く長く伸びることで区別がつきます。

The overall appearance is similar to Sumire, but they are a bit smaller overall in their size. In addition, the features of the leaves are slightly different from Sumire, and in the booming season, they can be distinguished by their long, slim spur and the shape of the petals, which often have a wavy rim.

＊１
門田裕一,『日本の野生植物 ３』, (平凡社、2016), P.209
Yuichi Kadota, "Wild flowers of Japan 3," (Heibonsha K.K. 2016), P.209
＊2
東京都　高尾山ビジターセンター
The Takao Visitor Center

スミレ三昧 – 東京都　高尾ビジターセンター