TAKAO 599 MUSEUM

Treasures of Mt. Takao

Mt Takao is located at the borderline of warm-temperature zone and cool-temperature zone and various plants from both zones grow. There are a lot of naturally grown plants and their visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers. Over 1,500 kinds of plants are confirmed which is relevant to the number of kinds naturally grow in England. Also, over 60 kinds of plants are first found in Mt. Takao such as Takao Sumire (V. yezoensis f. discolor) and Takao Higodai (Saussurea sinuatoides).

Smilax china
Smilax china Liliaceae
Deciduous woody vines (vines that sheds its leaves once in a year) found at forest edges, forests and grasslands in mountains. Twine adjacent tree. Have hard stems and bent at nodes and have spines. When monkey goes into vines, they might get stuck, hence the Japanese name Saru-tori-ibara, literally meaning monkey-catching brambles. Leaves are 3 to 12 cm long and round-shaped with pointed tip. Are thick, shiny and leaf vines are distinct. Are opposite and short petioles (stem to support leaves) have tendril. The blooming season is from April to May. Have male and female flowers. Bloom many small yellow-green flowers on inflorescence (flower stems) grow from petioles. Six petals are 6 mm oval-shaped and curled outward at tips. After flowering, bear 7 to 9 mm in diameter spherical fruits and turn red as they ripen.

●Height Vines
●Place Trail 1, Ura-Takao
※Quotation from Mount Takao formula application
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