[in Japanese]

View full abstract

For several years, the writer has been investigating the limestone vegetation in Shikoku, Japan. In order to give the materials to those who are interested in study of the flora and vegetation on limestone in Japan, the writer wishes to report the data obtained about the limestone vegetation in Shikoku hereafter. (I) Higashitsuno Village, Prov. Tosa, (about 500m above sea-level) The lime stone area, of this district is usually occupied by the deciduous shrub communities chiefly composed of Spiraea nervosa, Kerria japonica, Lespedeza buergeri, Securinega suffruticosa, Abelia integrifolia, etc. Miscanthus sinensis, Chrysanthemum indicum Thalictrum actaefolium, Salvia chinensis, Aster ageratoides subsp. ovatus, Reynoutria japonica, cet. are frequently found as the underherbs. Cyrtomium yamamotoi, Adenophora maximowicziana, Smilax stans, etc. occur on this limestone area as relics. (II) Agekura Village, Prov. Tasa. (about 300-400m above sea-level) Pinus densiflora community, Carpinus turczaninovii community, Cyclobalanopsis glauca community, etc. are widely developed on this limestone area. The main floral elements of these are Pinus densiflora, Carpinus turczaninovii, Ficus erecta, Stephanandra incisa, Spiraea nervosa, Kerria japonica, Lespedeza cyrtobotrya, L. buergeri, Securinega suffrutcosa, Eunymus alatus var. rotundatus, Berchemiela berchemiaefolia, Abelia integrifolia, Cyclobalanopsis glauca, Nandina domestia, Eriobotrya japonica, Buxus microphylla var. japonica, etc. Arundinaria pygmaea, Miscanthus sinensis, Brachypodium miserum Carex brunnea var. nakaii, Thalictrum thunbergii, T. actaefolium, Chrysanthemum etc. occurs abundantly in the abovementioned shrub communities. Asplenium toramanum, an endemic plant on limestone in Shikoku, is frequently found on this limestone bluff.

View full abstract