Apoikuwagata
Found only on Mt. Apoi. A rare blue wildflower unlike any other
Discover the Apoikuwagata, a rare wildflower found only on the rugged slopes of Mt. Apoi. Adapted to Hokkaido's unique peridotite soil, it brings delicate bluish-purple color to the mountain's weathered gray rocks.
Rising 810 meters above sea level, Mt. Apoi is home to many rare plants. Near the summit, Apoikuwagata thrives on harsh peridotite and serpentinite slopes. Found nowhere else on Earth, this endemic species grows only about 10 centimeters tall, with distinctive dark purplish leaves shaped by its challenging environment.
In early summer, after the snow melts, clusters of pale bluish-purple flowers bloom among the rocks. Two long stamens extend from the center of each flower, giving it a delicate appearance.
The plant takes its name from the shape of its fruit, which resembles the kuwagata, the decorative crest once worn on samurai helmets. The same Japanese word is also used for stag beetles because of their similarly shaped mandibles.
Mt. Apoi's ultra-basic soil is too harsh for most plants, allowing many unique species to flourish. Watching clusters of Apoikuwagata sway in the cool mountain breeze is one of the mountain's most memorable natural sights.
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General Information
- Postal code
- 〒058-0004
- Address
- 北海道様似郡様似町字平宇479-13
- Telephone Number
- 0146-36-3601
- Website
* Information on facilities is subject to change. Please check each official website for the latest information.
