Unique Ecosystem - Plants
The rugosa rose is a deciduous shrub (a tree under 3 m tall that loses its leaves in winter) that grows in sandy coastal areas. It is typically seen in the cold coastal areas of Hokkaido and the Tohoku region. Shimane Prefecture is its westernmost extent in Japan. In the past, it grew in colonies on both Dōgo and Nishinoshima Islands. However, it lost much of its habitat and nowadays can be found only in one part of the Dōgo coastline.
The rugosa rose has thorny branches. Its leaves are dark green with visible veins. Flowers are 6–7 cm in circumference with petals of a deep pink color. In the flowering season, its strong fragrance fills the immediate vicinity.
The rugosa rose is sometimes called hamanashi in Japanese. This name is derived from the shape of its fruit, similar to the nashi (Asian pear).
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Scientific Name
Rosa rugosa
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Classification
Family Rosaceae
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Distribution
Southern Kuril Islands, Hokkaido, Honshu (Pacific side north of Chiba Prefecture, Sea of Japan side east of Shimane Prefecture), widely distributed from the temperate to subarctic regions of northeast Asia
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Flowering Season
May–August
