The Ezo no Takane Yanag

Salix nakamurana subsp. yezoalpina

Flower name
The Ezo no Takane Yanag
Scientific name
Salix nakamurana subsp. yezoalpina
Alias蝦夷高嶺柳, マルバヤナギ, オオマルバヤナギ, ホソバマルバヤナギ, 丸葉柳
Place of originendemic to Japan
Place of floweringHigh mountain, Hokkaido
Flowering seasonJuly

What is The Ezo no Takane Yanag

The Ezo no Takane Yanagi (Salix nakamurana subsp. yezoalpina) is a deciduous prostrate shrub of the willow family (Salicaceae), endemic to Japan. It is a subspecies of Salix nakamurana, commonly known as Renge Iwa Yanagi (Salix nakamurana).
It is also referred to by other names, including Maruba Yanagi (丸葉柳), Ōmaruba Yanagi (大丸葉柳), and Hosoba Maruba Yanagi (細葉丸葉柳).
This plant grows naturally in the alpine rocky areas of Rishiri Island and the Daisetsuzan Mountains in Hokkaido, Japan. It extends along the ground in a creeping manner.

The shrub reaches a height of 20 to 50 cm. The leaves are green, slightly leathery, elliptic to round, measuring 2 to 5 cm in length, and have either entire margins or slight serrations. They are alternately arranged on the stem. When new leaves emerge, both surfaces are densely covered with long hairs.
It is dioecious (having separate male and female plants). In July, both male and female plants produce catkin-like inflorescences measuring 3 to 5 cm in length, with white to pale yellow flowers that lack petals.
The species is classified as Endangered (EN) under the Ministry of the Environment's Red List (Category IB).

Origin of the Name
The Japanese name "Ezo no Takane Yanagi" (蝦夷高嶺柳) means a willow that grows in the alpine regions of Hokkaido.

The genus name "Salix" is derived from the Latin words "sal" (near) and "lis" (water), indicating its preference for wet environments.
The species name "nakamurana" is dedicated to Masao Nakamura, who discovered the plant.
The subspecies name "yezoalpina" refers to the alpine regions of Hokkaido, where the plant naturally grows.

Common Name: Ezo no Takane Yanagi (蝦夷高嶺柳)
Scientific Name: Salix nakamurana subsp. yezoalpina
Other Names: Maruba Yanagi (丸葉柳), Ōmaruba Yanagi (大丸葉柳), Hosoba Maruba Yanagi (細葉丸葉柳)
Classification: Kingdom: Plantae, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Malpighiales, Family: Salicaceae, Genus: Salix
Growth Type: Alpine deciduous prostrate shrub
Distribution: Rishiri Island and Daisetsuzan Mountains in Hokkaido, Japan
Habitat: Alpine rocky terrain, growing close to the ground
Height: 20–50 cm
Leaf Color: Green
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Leaf Size: 2–5 cm
Leaf Shape: Elliptical to round
Leaf Margin: Entire or slightly serrated
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Dioecious: Yes (separate male and female plants)
Flowering Period: July
Inflorescence Type: Catkin
Inflorescence Length: 3–5 cm
Petals: None
Flower Color (Stamen Color): White to pale yellow
Anther Color: Yellow or red
Note: Classified as Endangered (EN) under Japan’s Ministry of the Environment Red List (Category IB).