Article ID: 1809
Kamagatani Natural Moment and Place of Scenic Beauty in Ikeda, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, contains a nationally significant cherry tree population that is known to contain wild hybrids and varieties. To determine the species composition and probable hybrid parentage within the Kamagatani population, we examined the morphology of 684 individuals. We confirmed the population’s size at 583 individuals, in contrast to a previous inventory that included 157 individuals. Taxa previously known from this area, such as Prunus jamasakura, P. spachiana, P. × mochizukiana, and P. spachiana ‘Pendula,’ were successfully relocated. Newly identified taxa included P. sargentii and P. × yedoensis ‘Somei-yoshino’. Of these two, the latter was the most commonly encountered species (201 individuals) and was likely intentionally planted in the 1950s. Many unidentifiable trees were also encountered; these and individuals of P. sargentii were likely accidentally planted from 1983 to 2004. In total, only 34% of the cherry trees at Kamagatani belong to designated taxa. To increase the abundance of designated taxa, we suggest conservation measures such as improving the vigour of existing trees and establishing a new planting method for new trees.
