Flora of Japan

The flora of Japan comprises a large assemblage of plant species which can be found in Japan, such as sakura, katsura, momiji and azalea. There are many species which are endemic to Japan.

Cherry blossom in Sugimara Park

Also, Chiba Prefecture has an extensive shrubland, and patches of high altitude grassland are dotting the many mountain ridges of Japan, most notably at Hida Mountains.

These habitats harbour at least 5565 and possibly as many as 7000 species of vascular plants, making Japan rank number 48 among countries with the most diverse flora, according to survey performed in 2004.[1]. Among these, approximately 2900 plant species are endemic to Japan.[2]

The dominant biome of Japan is forest, which composition varies with region and altitude. Roughly, the forests are dominated by Cryptomeria (sugi) in Hokkaido, Fagus crenata (buna) in Eastern Japan, and by Quercus myrsinifolia (shirakashi) in Western Japan.

Cultural significance
TitleSymbolPicture
National treeJapanese Cherry blossom (Prunus serrulata)
National flowerFlorist's daisy/Yellow Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
National fruitsLychee (Litchi chinensis)

Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki)

National vegetableDaikon (Raphanus sativus longipinnatus)
National cropsSoybeans (Glycine max)

List
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

See also

References
  1. Countries with the most number of vascular plant species
  2. Botanic Gardens Conservation International - The Rich and Diverse Flora of Japan
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