Nagoran Orchid

The Nagoran orchid is a perennial plant (an herbaceous plant that survives two or more years) found in warm climate evergreen broadleaf forests, planting its roots (called aerial roots) on tree trunks. Its leaves are thick, with a deep green color. The Oki Islands are its northernmost habitat in Japan and its only habitat in this part of the country. Here it grows not only on evergreen broadleaf, but also conifer trees, such as the momi fir (Abies firma) and the Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii).
In winter, the Nagoran orchid drops its leaves, likely to ensure its survival through the cold season. Its petals have a pale green color and reddish-purple spots. It blooms in clusters of around ten flowers. Since over-harvesting and deforestation have led to a decline in its numbers across Japan, the Ministry of Environment and Shimane Prefecture registered the Nagoran orchid as an endangered species.