Blooming in the Northland

Following the last year (2020), I couldn't have had a chance to look for blue poppies in the Himalayas due to the corona virus. Then I headed to the Hidaka Mountain Range in Hokkaido, the last place where people visit in Japan. I went there during the Olympic games as an evacuation measure to avoid corona virus. This time I hired a guide and baggage-carrying support stuff as I have usually taken in Himalaya treks. But it was a hard trek just like Himalayan trek because the Hidaka Ranges are the last place unexplored in Japan. During and after trekking, I visited marshlands which are registered under the Ramsar Convention and observed flowers in the wetland and water.
Of course, I took infection prevention measures such as taking face musk, using single tent and self-catering as well as taking vaccine.

When I returned to the hottest Tokyo, a corona infection exploded during the Olympic after the Japanese government forced to hold the Olympic Games even lifting the emergency declaration. The government vowing of "protecting the lives and health of the people" was heard in the air.

(View of Mt. Poroshiri from Mt.Kita-tobetsu)

The Hidaka Range is called a spine of Hokkaido. From Cape Erimo in the south to Ashibetsu in the north the length is about 200km. About 13 million years ago, it was formed by the North American plate riding on the Eurasian plate. At that time, the mantle layer deep underground is pushed up to the surface of the earth, so you can see rare rocks such as peridotite on the surface here. This peridotite contains metals such as iron and magnesium which hinder growth of plants, so there are many special plants (endemic species) that cannot be found anywhere else. Mt. Apoi in the southern part of the range, I visited in 2012, is formed by all peridotite, so it became a treasure trove of endemic species.
This time I visited Mt. Poroshiri (altitude 2052m) and Mt. Petekari (1736m). I have aimed for one flower there.



Silene hidaka-alpina ("Kamui Biranji": Caryophyllaceae　On the Hidaka Range）

This is rare species comparable to the Himalayan blue poppy and an endangered species. It grows in the crevices or on the ledge of granite open rock. The stem is 5 cm to 10 cm, the diameter of the flower is about 1 cm. While it is pretty and beautiful, it has been surviving from the ice age depending on the heat contained in rocks.
The photo on the right is on the protruding rock of ridgeline between Mt. Tottabetsu and Mt. Poroshiri. I took the picture from the air by securing with a rope by the guide.
Far under the rock, there is Nanatsu-numa (seven ponds) curl where three brown bears are playing and we made a camp that night.
The sharp triangle summit shown on the far right is Mt. Kamui-ekuuchikaushi, the origin of the flower name coming from.

"World Flower Exploration" a book written by Shun Umezawa and published last December triggered this flower watching trek as he revealed the location of the flower in the article. Generally speaking botanical photographers never tell the location of endangered species, but he showed because the climbing route had abandoned and disappeared, so there is no fear of flower robbery any more. And he threw a provocative word "If you are a real flower enthusiastic, you will sure challenge." Umezawa is an alpine and botanical photographer mainly based on Hokkaido and Himalayan blue poppy seeker whom I was chasing in search of blue poppies.
With his provocation I have no reason to hesitate. I asked several guides to take me to the place - Mt. Ponyaoromao, but nobody answered. However a guide told me that he looked the flower in different mountains - Mt. Poroshiri and Mt. Petekari, so I hired him. When I climbed it turned out that his word was not an exaggeration. There are few trekkers on the Hidaka main ridgeline route now after brown bear attacking and sudden flood, so creeping pine (Pinus pumila) soon covers the route under its branches. As the pine extends its branches downward it makes difficult to go forward when climbing up. You need to step on the branches to go. You may lose balance and get stuck. To make matters worse there is no water on the ridgeline route.
I realized that how amazing Umezawa's toughness is as he ran these steep ridges freely to take pictures of mountains and flowers. I also thank him to refer to his book to find out flower names.

	The Hidaka main ridgeline from Mt. Petekari to south. Mt. Ponyaoromap is on the eastern ridgeline. There is a slight step only

There are some reddish brown dew rocks on the ridge. This is peridotite. Rare species can be seen in peridotite or serpentinite areas in other places.

(The ridgeline extending north from Mt.Totsutabetsu. In the distance, Mt. Yubari and Mt. Ashibetsu float above the clouds)

　Saussurea chionophylla ("Yukibahigotai" : Asteraceae)

This is an endemic species growing in here and Mt.Yubari. Growing on peridotite and serpentine rocks. The leaves are hard and have white lines in the veins. Shiny, with cotton on the back.

(Expansion of flowers)
　

　　　（At the peak of Mt. Nukabira）

Saussurea yanagisawae
("Usuyuki touhiren" :Asteraceae)

It is a member of Higotai and is close to thistle. It grows on windy sand ground on the ridge.
Compared to the above Saussurea chionophylla, the leaves are long and have thorns. There is no cotton on the back. Habitat is wide. It can also be seen in Mt. Daisetsu and Mt. Youtei.

(On the north slope of Mt. Totsutabetsu / Mt. Poroshiri behind)

　Swertia tetrapetala var. yezoalpina
　("Ezo Takane Senburi": Gentianaceae)

While many swertia japonica has 5 petals, as the scientific name indicates, his species has 4 (theta) petals (petal). And also has dark spots on the petal. Although it is difficult to see in the photo, there is a vertical nectar in the center of the petal (in yellow frame).
　　　

　　(Northernslope of Mt.Totsutabetsu)　

Swertia perennis subsp. cuspidata
("Miyama-akebonosou": Gentianaceae)

A normal Swertia bimaculata blooming in Honshu has round and blue petals which have clear round grooved and unclear.
Although it has a name implying alpine "Miyama", it is not a highland type of Swertia bimaculata.

(Swertia bimaculata)
　

　（At the top of Mt. Nukabira）

　Minuartia verna var. japonica
　("Hosoba-tsumekusa" : Caryophyllaceae)
A member of the Minuartia arctica var. hondoensis ("Takanetsumekusa") seen in alpine belt in Honshu. The petals are star-shaped but the tip is rounded
　　　

　　（Northern slope of Mt. Totsutabetsu)　

Stellaria nipponica var. yezoensis
("Ohiwa-tsumekusa": Caryophyllaceae)

It has a name similar to that of Minuartia verna above. However, the petals are deeply cut and the tips are sharp, so it looks like having 10 petals despite 5 petals actually. This species belongs to the generus of Stellaria which is same genus of Stellaria nipponica growing Honshu. This is an endemic of here in Northern Hidaka range and Mt. Yubari.

The Japanese name of both flowers are alike despite different genus, which makes confusion. I hope academic should correct these names as soon as possible.

(On the peridotite gravel just below the summit of Mt. Kita-totsutabetsu)

And there is another Chickwort on this ridge.
　

Minuartia arctica (Steven ex Ser.) Graebn. var. arctica
　("Ezo-takane-tsumekusa": Caryophyllaceae)

The basic species of Minuartia arctica var. hondoensis. The tip of the petal is even more round than that of Minuartia verna var. japonica.

　　　　(On the ridge between Mt. Totsutabetsu and Mt. Totsutabetsu)

And then... a dianthus looks like a lowland type

　Dianthus superbus var. speciosus
　("Takamine Nadesico": Caryophyllaceae)

　Alpine type of Dianthus that is often seen in lowland.

(On the ridge between Mt. Totsutabetsu and Mt. Totsutabetsu)

Campanula lasiocarpa (Mountain harebell "Iwa-gikyo" : Campanulaceae)
(in left & middle)
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
　Campanula chamissonis (Hairyflower bellflower "Chishimagikyo) (right)

Both can be seen in alpine mountains in Honshu, but here in Hokkaido, you can see them in a narrow range. Although they look alike, they can be identified by the hair on the petals - Campanula chamissonis has.

(Mt. Poroshiri southridge)

(Mt. Nukabira)

Many of the alpine plants in Hokkaido are named after northern places such as Ezo (old Hokkaido), Chishima (Kuril Islands), and Karafuto (Sakhalin). Most of them are endemic of Hokkaido.

← Sanguisorba japonensis
("Ezo-touuchisou": Rosaceae)

A companion of Sanguisorba officinalis. (Mt. Nukabira)

Hedysarum hedysaroides →
("Karafuto-genge": Fabaceae)

A companion of Japanese sweetvetchi. (Mt. Petekari)

Linnaea borealis
(Twinflower "Linensou" : Caprifoliaceae)

Even if you don't know this flower, may know "Linne's Law" and famous botanist Carl Linnaeus. Linnaeus who liked this flower gave it the name. He established the nomenclature of plants (Binomial nomenclown: genus + species).
This flower is originally called "Meotobana (couple flower)" in Japan because two lowers are lined up.
A Japanese botanist who admired Linnaeus may give his name to the flower even in Japanese name.

　　(Mt. Totsutabetsu)

Autumn comes earlier on the ridgeline because there is little water there. Even though it was still July, Geum pentapetalum was fluttering its ear-fruitrs.

(Mt. Poroshiri south ridge)

Once the Hidaka Mountain Ranges were covered with glaciers, there are countless cirques with steep walls carved by the glaciers. The heavy snow remains on the curl until late. Even if the flowers on the ridgeline pass the peak, the flowers in curls are still shining freshly. At the same time, in search of fresh and soft leaves that sprout after the snow melts,
Then brown bears without sweat glands come to the snow remaining cirques to cool their bodies.
　

（Seven-ponds cirrque viewed from Mt. Poroshir south ridge)

After stepping on the top of Mt. Poroshiri in 14 hours, we went down a steep cliff and set up a tent at Nanatsunuma (Seven-ponds) Cirque. The next day was rain, I spent whole day in the tent and took a rest. Mother and children of brown bear appeared hesitantly to have meal in the upper part of the remaining snow field.

		Pedicularis chamissoni 　("Ezo-yotsuba-shiogama: Scrophulariaceae) It is very similar to the ones in Honshu, but there are many flowers on the inflorescence axis (7 on average and 20 maximum). The name comes from the ring of four leaves. It is a gorgeous flower. (At Nanatsunuma Cirque)
	← Pedicularis yezoensis 　　("Ezo-shiogama": Scrophulariaceae) 　　Parnassia palustris → ("Ezo-umebachisou: Saxifragaceae)
		Veratrum stamineum ("Kobaikeisou": Liliaceae) This species grows in the community in alpine zones in Japan Alps (Northern, Central, Southern Alps) and Tohoku. Also you can see in Hokkaido where there are less communities. It is endemic of Japan and contains toxic components of alkaloid type.
Geranium erianthum 　　　("Chishima-fuuro": Geraniaceae) This belongs in the same family of Geranium yesoense var. nipponicum and Geranium onoei grown in alpine zones in Honshu. The leaves turn red in late summer.
		Hypericum kamtschaticum ("Hai-otogiri: Hypericaceae) As the scientific name has Kamchatka this is distributed in Northern Japan.

　 Mertensia pterocarpa var. yezoensis
　("Ezo-rurisou" : Boraginaceae)

Forget-me-not companion. It has only one flower blooming beside the swamp of Seven-ponds Cirque). I have seen it at Mt. Furano and Mt.
Daisetsu where many flowers were blooming.

　 Pennellianthus frutescens
　　("Iwabukuro": Plantaginaceae)
　Also known as "Tarumaiso"

It is often seen in volcanic mountains in Hokkaido and Tohoku.
There was a large community in Mt. Tarumae, where I climbed for rehearsal before Mt. Poroshiri.
The flower color of the right picture is whitish while usual one is more purple - maybe albino.

In Mt. Petekari, we walked on a pathless road that has not been passed by trekkers for the past few years, squeezed through the bushes from the ridgeline, went down the steep slope, and stayed at the bottom of Cirque. The water flowing down from the Cirque is cold and delicious. The long-remained snow has just melted, and the flowers sprout out at the same time, then smiles us who are the first and last inquirers of the year.

　 Therorhodion camtschaticum
　　("Ezo-tsutsuji": Ericaceae)

Although this flower is scattered in other places at this time of year, it had fresh flowers.
The yellow one is Geum calthifolium var. nipponicum ("Miyama Daikonsou").
　

	Diapensia lapponica ("Iwa-ume": Diapensiaceae）
	Same family of Schizocodon soldanelloides (Fringed galax) and Shortia uniflora Diapensia in Himalaya is only one species and has pink petals.

　Cassiope lycopodioides
　（"Iwa-hige": Ericaceae)

Attaching small bell-shaped petals.
The leaves are needle-shaped (similar to cedar leaves), which Japanese name ("hige" means beard) comes from.

　Arnica unalaschcensis
　("Ezo-usagi-giku": Asteraceae）

This species in Honshu grows in colony while Hokkaido's one grows solitarily.The Japanese name ("Usagi" means a rabbit) comes from its long leaf reassembling rabbit ears.

	Geum pentapetalum　　（"Chin-guruma": Rosaceae） It has already become spike on the ridge of Mt. Poroshiri, but here in the bottom of the Cirque it is flowering with "now in full bloom" thanks to the exuding water from rock crevasse. It looks like grass, but it is shrub and there are annual rings on the stem. It has been surviving for over 20 years and has flowers every year.
At Mt. Poroshiri and Mt. Petekari, you have to walk long forest roads and climb slippery steep slopes before reaching the ridgeline. But if there are flowers such hardwork is not so painful.
Aconitum app.　(Monk's hood "Tori-kabuto": Ranunculaceae) There are about 75 species of aconite in Japan and about 10 species in Hokkaido including varieties. They are very similar and there are many variations depending on the individual. I dared not to identify each species because I shouldn't make a mistake. As species, there are Aconitum sachalinense subsp. yezoense and Aconitum sachalinense ssp. sachalinense. The roots of aconite contain toxic aconitine. Among them, Aconitum sachalinense subsp. yezoense is the strongest. So, the Ainu (Hokkaido natives) use this poison for hunting brown bears and Hokkaido sika deer. Poison power has variety - some with weak toxicity are used as drugs. There is also aconite without toxic. ((The photo below is probably Aconitum sachalinense subsp. yezoense at around Kamui cottage in Urakawa Town)

　Aconitum gigas　
　("Ezo-reijinsou": Ranunculaceae）

It is a member of the aconite, but the color of the flower is green (as the picture right was taken early in the morning, so the color isn't clear). It is also toxic but not so strong as aconite.

　　　　　 (Chiroro River, Hidaka Town)

	Pseudolysimachion kiusianum ssp. miyabei var. japonica ("Yama Ruritoranoo": Plantaginaceae) Previously it belonged in Scrophulariaceae family, but is reclassified together with Pseudolysimachion subsessile (wood speedwel) and Veronica ornata. This is an opposite‐leaved plant different from Veronicastrum japonicum, which will be introduced later. (Chiroro River Forest Road, Hidaka Town)

	←　Hydrangea serrata （"Ezo-azizai": Hydrangeaceae) Cirsium hidakamontanum　→ 　　("Hidaka-azami": Asteraceae)
		Saussurea riederi subsp. yezoensis ("Nagaba-kita-azami: Asteraceae） Unlike the above Cirsium hidakamontanum, this is a species close to the above Saussurea yanagisawae ("Usuyuki-tohillen"). (Chiroro River Forest Road, Hidaka Town)
	Ephippianthus schmidtii 　("Koichiyou-ran": Orchidaceae) Only one leaf is attached at the base of the stem with about 15 cm height. .　　　　　　　　　(Mt. Petekari)
		Myrmechis japonica 　("Aridoshi-ran": Orchidaceae) Blooming quietly in a damp place under a forest or bush. The size of the flower is only about 1 cm. (Under the fountain of Totta).
There was another flower I was aiming for here in Hidaka. A kind of the Epiphytic orchid, Ponerorchis chidori ("Hinachidori"). It is said that it will land on the upper part of the broad-leaved tree. There was a photo in Japan part of above mentioned "World Flower Exploration". As I am eager to see it, I asked Mr. Umezawa about the approximate location. But...The mark-point he showed was being swept away, so the specific location could not be identified. Even if I found the mark, it may be difficult to find because it was more than 10 years ago when he saw it. I searched around for possible places and trees, but couldn't find them. As Mr. Umezawa finally found the flower after he tripped many times and searched for many days, I understand that it is never easy to find in one trip....I have to finish one more homework.

(A panoramic view of Mt. Poroshiri and Nanatsunuma Cirque from Mt.Totsutabetsu)

Fifty-seven years ago (the year when the last Tokyo Olympic Game was held), I climbed Mt. Hakusan, one of the Hundred Famous Mountains in Japan near my home town, since then I have reached 98 peaks of them. While my purpose of trekking is for flower exploration, when untouched peaks have left only two I am encouraged to ascend the remaining tops, and headed for Mt. Warusawa (alt. 3,141 m) in the core of the Southern Alps at the end of August. A decade before, I ascended Mt. Arakawa Nakadake nearby, but I had no time to visit at that time. In this season the mountain cottages are closed due to corona virus, so I had to bring all belongings on my shoulder such as sleeping bags and foods.
Blessed with good weather for four days, on the promenade-like path it looks to get the peak easily. However, at a few kilometers away from the peak I had to retreat due to time out. I could have reached if I did, but I would miss the last bus service of the season. The cause of the defeat was the loose calculation of the course time and the load of nearly 20 kg. Also the memory that I passed without difficulty 10 years ago made me misjudged. I realized that I was definitely aging. This time I couldn't complete my homework. How many homework do you have left? I am recently feeling "night falls soon but the goal far away"

Because the schedule with the guide could not be adjusted, there was a three-day gap between the trekking of Mt. Poroshiri and Mt. Petekari. I took a rest for this period in Uryu swamps spending in a tent

There are many marshes in Hokkaido, including the Kushiro Marsh registered under the Ramsar Convention. The three major Japanese marshes - Kushiro marsh, Sarobetsu Wilderness and Kiritappu Wetland, are all located in Hokkaido. Also there are highland marshes. Major three highland marshes are Ukishima Marsh, Matsuyama Marsh and Uryu-numa Swamp which is called "Northern Oze".
The reason why there are many marshes in Hokkaido is that dead plants do not rot due to the cold and to turn to peat. Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido, was once in mid of a large marshland.

　Nuphar pumila var. ozeensis
　("Uryu-kouhone": Nymphaeaceae)

An endemic species of Uryu-numa Wetland. The stigma is red. As the scientific name suggests, it is a type of Nuphar pumila in Oze Marsh. But the ovary color is red.

Nymphaea tetragona var. erythrostigmatica
("Ezo-beni-hitsujigusa": Nymphaeaceae)

The stigma of the pistil and the anther of the stamen are reddish purple. It is said that the flower opens around 2 p.m. (called "Hitsuji" (sheep) hour in old time system in Japan), but it actually blooms around 12 o'clock.
But in the morning ...it is still in a dream. What kind of dream does this oversleeping guy look?

　Veronicastrum japonicum
　("Kugaisou": Plantaginaceae)

The Japanese name comes from the fact that the ring-leaves can be seen in nine steps.
A dragonfly that stays at the tip of the inflorescence tells us that the autumn has arrived.
Behind mountain is Mt. Shokanbetsu.

←Iris setosa　("Hiougi-ayame: Iridaceae)
This flower can be seen in various wetlands of Honshu such as Oze and in Hokkaido.
Its dignified figure looks like the queen of marsh.
The Japanese name ("Hiougi" means a holding fan made of cypress boards) stems from the leaves resembling the fan used in the palace during the Heian period.

	Stachys aspera Michx. var. baicalensis ("Ezo-inugoma": Lamiaceae)	→
	As the stems and leaves are rigid, they can be distinguished from stachys aspera. When "inu(dog)" is added to the plant name, it is regarded as a non-useful species.

Hosta sieboldii var. rectifolia("Tachi-giboshi: Asparagaceae)

Hosta can be seen all over Japan. It grows well even in the sun shade, so it is widely planted as a horticultural species.
This species is seen in mountains and marshes from Hokkaido to Tohoku. The flower is large and blooms sideways.
The buds resemble the pillar head cap ("giboshi") on the bridge, from which the Japanese comes.

　Sanguisorba tenufolia var.alba
　("Nagabano-waremokou":Rosaceae)　

In Honshu there are reddish flowers .

　Filipendula yezoensis
　("Ezono-shimotsukesou": Rosaceae)

A flower ear looks like cotton candy. Comparing to Filipendula multijuga in Honshu the leaf notch is shallow.
"Shimotsuke" is the ancient name of Tochidai prefecture.

(Viewing Mt. Shokanbetsu from Ury-numa Pond)

There was a flower I expected here in Ury-numa Marsh. It's Hemerocallis dumortieri var. esculenta ("Ezo-zenteika), a . A member of Hemerocallis. I have learned that there is a large colony here and wanted to see, but ... The flowers have already ended due to the unusual heat of July in Hokkaido, so I couldn't see even one. Park rangers said that this trend has continued for the past few years. Clearly climate change is happening here as well.
As an alternative, I show you a colony of kin flower I have seen in Sado Island in early June - Hemerocallis dumortieri var. exaltata ("Tobishima-kanzou"). Please imagine flowers blooming around the pond.

(Onokame, Sado City)

I was planning to climb Mt. Kamui after descending from Mt. Petegari, , but I gave up due to fatigue. Instead, I headed to Kiritappu Wetland, one of the three major wetlands in Hokkaido.

As the name suggests ("Kiri" means fog and "tappu" plenty), Kiritappu Wetland, where located between Kushiro and Nemuro, is covered with fog flowing from the sea. However, instead of the dry coastal areas flowers are flourishing with moisture of this fog. Cape Kiritappu is famous for sea urchin fishing. And recently wild sea otters have settled in search of these sea urchins and crams.

←
　Spiraea salicifolia
　("Hozaki Shimosuke": Rosaceae

The genus is different from Filipendula multijuga in Uryu-numa Marshland.
different. This is a kind of tree.

　　　　Lobelia sessilifolia 　→
　　("Sawa-gikyo: Campanulaceae)

This species can be seen in various marshlands including Uryu-numa Marshland. It is toxic.

　Scutellaria strigillos
("Namikisou": Lamiaceae）

A member of Scutellaria indica. It really blooms on the coast where the flower name in Japanese is suitable because "Namiki" means the waves are coming.
I want it could warn us when the big Tsunami is approaching after the earthquake.

　Codonopsis ussuriensis
　("Baa-sobu": Campanulaceae)

There are freckle-like spots on the inside of the flower. Freckles are called "Sobu" by local residents in Nagano Pref. If there is an old woman ("Baa"), there should be an old man ("Jii"), which Codonopsis is named after as ("Jii-sobu").
　　

Codonopsis lanceolata
　　The flower is slightly larger than "Baa-sobu".

	Adenophora triphylla var. japonica 　("Tsurigane-ninjin: Campanulaceae)

	Widely distributed from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Ringing the bell to tell you that autumn is coming. The Japanese name comes from a bell-shaped ("Tsurigane") Korean carrot, However, although the young shoots are edible, they aren't used as medicines.

	Achillea ptarmica subsp. macrocephala 　("Ezo-nokogirisou: Asteracea) Generally Yarrow has leaves with deeply cut serrations, however, this species' is not deeply serrated while it's leaves are larger than Yarrow. There are pink color kin species "Kita-nokogirisou" (described later).
Lathyrus palustris subsp. pilosus ("Ezono- renrisou: Fabacea) "Renri" means "frying together with synchronizing wings", which shows intimacy between husband & wife, or couples. The leaves' symmetrically well-balanced shape presents such a analogy.

After staying in Kushiro and enjoying sea urchins, squids, salmon roe and other seafood for diner, I headed to Lake Saroma via the vast Kushiro Marsh. I searched for flora in the large sand dune marsh "Wakka Wild Flower Garden" that separates Lake Saroma and the Sea of Okhotsk. Lake Saroma, which was not connected to the sea in the past However, the man-made opening of the lake has made it a rich fishing waters for scallops and oysters.

　 Rosa rugosa　("Hamanasu": Rosaceae)

It was distributed in the coastal areas of Hokkaido and Tohoku. As it is strong and easily raised,it is now planted for ornamental purposes in parks around the world.
From this native species many horticultural species are produced after travelling to Europe.
　

Ken Takakura, a famous male movie star, sang in the movie titled "Abashiri Extra Land- Jail" as
♪reddish, true reddish "Hamanasu" (means beach eggplant) is looking at the sea and crying ♪
In fact, when ripped, it's fruit becomes round and red, but it does not look like an eggplant. Japanese great botanist, Tomitaro Makino, said "Originally "Hamanasu" is pronounced as "Hamanashi" (means beach pair) but it was changed to "Hamanasu" because local people in Tohoku pronounce "Shi" as "Su".

←　　
　Geranium yesoense
　("Ezo-fuuro: Geraniaceae)

With a stem height of about 20 cm, it is smaller than Geranium erianthum "Chishima-fuuro" above.

	Dianthus superbus L. var. superbus 　　　→
	("Ezo-kawara Nadeshiko": Caryophyllaceae)
	The flower attaching style is different the above-mentioned Dianthus superbus var. speciosus "Takane nadeshiko".

	Hieracium umbellatum ("Yanagi-tampopo": Asteraceae)

	The stem is as tall as 30 cm or larger, and the leaves are long (lanceolata). This species is different from regular dandy-lion seen on the street and/or in the field in term of genus.

←
　Achillea alpina subsp. japonica
　 ("Kita-nokogirisou ︓ Asteraceae)

Smaller leaves than the aforementioned Achillea ptarmica which has a long, deep serrated leaves.

Rubus parvifolius
"Nawashiro ichigo": Rosaceae)

In Honshu, the fruits ripen when rice seedlings ("Nawashiro") are made. So it got this name. But along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk in Hokkaido, it finally ripens in August.
I picked the fruit as much as possible and brought to my mouse busily because there were few flowers to be seen here in Wakk park at this time. The taste is so so good but it did not match to maple strawberry. This species are distributed nationwide.

　Salicornia europaea
　("Akkeshisou: Amaranthaceae)
Also known as coral grass

Right now it is just growing thin dark green stems, however, in the next month, the tip becomes spike-shaped and the leaves turn reddish purple. It is resistant to salt water and growing in lakes and marshes where sea water enters. Japanese name "Akkeshisou" comes from Lake Akkeshi near Kushiro where the first one was discovered.

The mountain behind the scene is Mt. Horoiwa where .I searched for orchids, Epipogium aphyllum, but failed to find.

Nine years ago, when I climbed mountains in north-eastern Hokkaido I saw Rosa rugosa and Siberian lily (Lilium pensylvanicum) were in full bloom and swaying with breeze from he Sea of Okhotsk at Koshimizu Wild Reserve. As Wakk Wild Flower Garden is the biggest colony of Siberian lily I was looking forward seeing them, but unfortunately I couldn't meet the blooming time.
In the previous month I visited the north-eastern coast of Tohoku where its close related species, Lilium maculatum, is flowering.

　Lilium maculatum
　(Sukashi-yuri: Liliaceae)
　Also knows as Rock lily "Iwa-yuri" which grows on the rock beach. (Lilium pensylvanicum grows on the sandy beach)

Last year I visited the Arakawa-nagare in the northern Niigata Prefecture to take pictures of Lilium maculatum blooming in the rocky area . In the places where I could approach on foot it was still a bud. But I saw several flowers blooming on the steep rock wall where I couldn't approach. So I fried my small drone to take a picture. Unfortunately the drone was caught on a branch and fell down into the sea. The footage taken at the time was also vanished.

Thank you for watching until the end.

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2021.10.7 upload