スミレの山 高尾山④ エイザンスミレ Takao, the mountain of violets: No.4 Eizan-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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高尾の山でエイザンスミレを初めて見た時、その力強さと美しさに衝撃を受けました。個体差はあるものの、一つひとつの株は大きく、花の大きさはスミレの中でも最大級。その大きな花が、本種の最大の特徴である大きく切れ込みの入った凛々しい葉を従え、燦々と降り注ぐ太陽の光を浴びながら誇り高く咲く姿は、まるで出陣を控えた侍のよう。
When I first saw Eizan-sumire (Viola eizanensis) in Mt. Takao, I was struck by their beauty and dignifying look. Although there are some variations in how they appear, each plant is large, and the size of the flower is one of the biggest amongst violets. The flowers, blooming proudly in the bright sunlight accompanied by large, deeply notched leaves, which are the most distinctive feature of this species, reminded me of an armed samurai prepared for a battle.
Pictured on a rainy day
エイザンスミレは他のスミレより開花がやや遅く、４月の中頃からその盛りを迎えます。高尾並びにその周辺の山中においては個体数が多く、季節になればあちらこちらでごく普通に見つけることができます。
Eizan-sumire bloom a little later than other violets, reaching their peak in mid-April. Once in the full bloom season, they are pretty much everywhere; you can find them easily in Takao and the surrounding mountains.
The most distinctive feature is their deeply notched leaves.
多産であることから、他のスミレとの交雑も観察されています。特に、高尾周辺ではヒナスミレとの交雑であるオクタマスミレとヒゴスミレとの交雑であるヒラツカスミレの存在が知られています。どちらも自然の交雑種を見つけることは極めて難しいことから、愛好家の垂涎の的になっています。
Due to their prolific nature, they often crossbreed with other violets. In particular, crossbreeding with Hina-sumire, known as Okutama-sumire, and with Higo-sumire, known as Hiratsuka-sumire, have been observed and confirmed in Takao and its surroundings. Both are highly coveted by enthusiasts as their natural hybrids are extremely difficult to find.
They can be found in bright sunny locations.
＊１
門田裕一,『日本の野生植物 ３』, (平凡社、2016), P.209
Yuichi Kadota, "Wild Flowers of Japann 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
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