Viola utchinensis explained

is a species of flowering plant in the family Violaceae.

Taxonomy

The species was first described by Japanese botanist Gen-ichi Koidzumi in 1938.^[1] The specific epithet relates to the type locality (Manzamo in the village of Onna) on Okinawa Island (Uchinā in Okinawan).^[1]

Description

Viola utchinensis is an evergreen with ovate leaves and pale purple to purplish-white flowers.^{[2] [3]} Flowers bloom from February to April.^[4]

Distribution and habitat

Viola utchinensis is endemic to Okinawa Island in the Ryūkyū Islands of Japan.^[5]

This species can be found in crevices of raised coral reef and coastal cliffs. It grows in elevated habitat in full sun.

Conservation status and threats

Viola utchinensis is classed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and Endangered on the Ministry of the Environment Red List and has been designated a National Endangered Species under the 1992 Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.^{[6] [7]} In 2015 the population was estimated to be between 100 - 200 mature individuals.

V. utchinensis is threatened primarily by the illegal collection of specimens for cultivation. This is believed to be the biggest threat for the species. The species is attractive therefore is dug up to be used as rare ornamental plant.

Notes and References

1. . 1938 . Contributiones ad Cognitioem Florae Asiae Orientalis . . la . 7 . 2 . 112–117 [113] . 10.18942/bunruichiri.KJ00002594478 . 0001-6799.
2. Web site: https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/kankyo/shizen/hogo/documents/ikansokusyokubutsu.pdf . ja:レッドデータおきなわ 維管束植物 . Red Data Okinawa: Vascular Plants . 3 . . . 5 December 2018 . 11 May 2022 . 217.
3. Book: ja:レッドデータブック2014 —日本の絶滅のおそれのある野生生物— 8 植物I（維管束植物）. Red Data Book 2014 — Threatened Wildlife of Japan — Volume 8, Vascular Plants . ja . . Gyōsei Corporation . 2015 . 978-4-324-09902-5 . 257.
4. Web site: 2015-10-06 . Okinawa sumire Viola utchinensis . 2022-05-14 . www.iucnredlist.org.
5. Book: Katō, M. .

   ja:加藤雅啓

   . Ebihara, A. .

   ja:海老原淳

   . March 2011 . . 978-4-486-01897-1 . 93, 244, 331 . ja . ja:日本の固有植物 . Endemic Plants of Japan.
6. Web site: https://ikilog.biodic.go.jp/rdbdata/files/redlist2020/redlist2020_ikansoku.csv . ja:維管束植物 . Vascular Plants . ja . . 27 March 2020 . 11 May 2022.
7. Web site: https://www.env.go.jp/nature/kisho/domestic/list.html . ja:国内希少野生動植物種一覧 . List of National Endangered Species . ja . . 24 January 2022 . 11 May 2022.