Exploring the northern part of the Okinawa main island...

[palmfriend]

 

Hello everyone,

 

Last weekend I made a short trip to the Okinawa main island, this time focussing on the northern part. 

First I went to the Churaumi Expo Park which is mostly famous for its various aquariums and dolphin show

but it is also a great place for those interested in tropical and subtropical flora. It sports a nice park

and phantastic green house -  those were the places where I went.

The next destination was the most northern tip of the Okinawa island, Cape hedo, from there I went back to

my place of stay near Churaumi using the western road through endless forrests. (The way up I took the main

road on the east coast).

Finally I paid the Southeast Botanical Garden near Kadena a second visit but I think it was worth it.

There are plenty of picture to show, so I am going to split up the documentation into three parts. 

If you are interested in my little tour, please follow me.

The domestic travelling hasn't started yet (due to Corona) so I was almost alone wherever I went. 

There were many different areas with e.g. saltwind resistant, tropical and subtropical plants - but I just took

photos of the palm section.

Here - Phoenix dactylifera.

Ptychosperma elegans.

Dictyosperma album, Princess palm.

Areca catechu. This species you can find in the whole Okinawa prefecture - it is almost naturalized over here.

Caryota mitis.

Neodypsis decaryi.

Wodyetia bifurcata, Foxtail palm.

Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, Bangalow palm.

This one had no label but it looks like a Veitchia arecina...

Alright, then I went to the "Tropical dream center"...

 

[palmfriend]

Ok, here we go...

Spring has begun in Okinawa, beautiful flowers all around.

At the entrance, not sure about this one, a Latania perhaps.

Inside a park like area and a large green house.

Two Bismarckia nobilis. There were Manila palms and of course Satakentia liukiuensis, too but 

since they are very common over here I did not take any photos of them.

Then I went into the green house which is divided into several sections which were all very

interesting. You can spend hours in them.

Here are some of the images I took...

Cyathea, one of my other favorite species.

Arenga tremula.

Platycerium grande.

...

This one - I am sorry, I can't place it. 

Moving on to the warm area section...

...

Nypa fruticans, Mangrove palm.

Finally - without doubt the highlight of that day...

...

...

Cyrtostachys renda, Red sealing wax palm. Unbelievable colors...

Ok, that was it for the first day - I will be back soon with a documentation about the next day.

If you are interested, please stay tuned.

###

 

 

[KDubU]

Nice pics! That red though, wow stunning. Did not know they could survive submerged in water. I know of plenty of plants can but was not aware this palm would. 

[palmfriend]

1 hour ago, KDubU said:

Nice pics! That red though, wow stunning. Did not know they could survive submerged in water. I know of plenty of plants can but was not aware this palm would. 

Thank you!

When I went there for the first time (two years ago) they were submerged in water as well. I was

wondering if they have a kind of rotation plan with other potted palms of the same species -

but honestly, I don't know. May be someone else can chime in...

 

[PJP]

Those are great pictures.  About a year ago I moved my 4 25 Gallon lipsticks from my back patio and placed them into a man made pond to see what would happen.  All growers of this palm tell you these are swamp palms and they love water.  I submerged mine 50% of the pot size in the pond.  I have seen tremendous growth and they all turned dark green.  I have had the water line within 4 inches of the top during rain but I quickly drained it down to a lower level.  That’s an intriguing picture and I’m curious if anyone else has fully submerged the Renda.

[hbernstein]

Yes, it will (and should) grow completely in water. Warm water will keep the palm happy.

[Palm Tree Jim]

Thanks for sharing the great pictures.

 

[Xenon]

Might be common for you but those Satakentia are 

Nice pics (moreeee please)! 

[palmfriend]

###

The next day I went further to the north. I took the coastal road on the west side (not east side - my fault) 

and went back on another road through the forrest on the eastern side. I simply wanted to explore the nature of

Okinawa's north in general but of course with focus on palms. 

I have to mention that the northern part of Okinawa's main island is a national park, so there are 

just a few villages here and there in the coastal area on the west side while there is almost nothing

on the east side or in the island's center. 

While palms get sparse the more you move to the north...

...I saw this spot on my way. There were Alexander palms, Spindle palms and even super-tall Royal 

palms but I saw no chance to enter the property and to find out more, so I went on.

Finally I reached the coastal road which took me all the way up to the island's most nothern tip.

I was already moving on this road for quite a while...

...when I found this garden with the probably northern-most Cocos nucifera in Japan. 

The next stop on my way to the north was a waterfall a bit away from the coastline.

Passing four completely empty parking areas before I reached the entrance gave me a clue what

usually goes on at this place if Corona would not had happened. After paying a small fee I was again

almost alone for the whole time. The walk itself was kind of challenging, up and down with many

slippy or wet places, all in all 1,2km long. But it was definitely worth it...

Arenga palms and...

Cyathea farns all over the place.

The humidity level was increasing significantly the more I moved towards the waterfall. 

I could take pictures even without aiming - it was breathtakingly intense. I was completely alone,

never had to wait for someone to move out of the scenery before taking a picture, perfect...

Arenga palms at all stages, young ones and... 

...VERY young ones, too.

To summ it up, obviously a paradise for farns and Arenga palms.

Finally reaching the destination...

...the waterfall, closely surrounded by Arenga palms and farns. The constantly high humidity level

doesn't seem to bother them. 

Deeply impressed I walked back and left the area...

...spotting two Hyophorbe verschaffeltii on my way out.

Half an hour later...

...I reached Cape Hedo.

I didn't spend much time there and went on but was really surprised...

...to find a healthy looking Artocarpus altilis up there while the Dypsis lutescens in the background 

did not.

The ride back through the forrest with endless curves took quite a while but sometimes the road 

touched the Pacific ocean...

...offering a great scenery.

I finished the day with a final walk through the Churaumi park and enjoyed the beatiful sunset.

Alright, that was day number two. One more day to go...

###

 

[bgl]

Wow Lars, what a great place and great photos! Would definitely love to visit - once Japan is open for business again! 

Greetings from Fairbanks!

Bo-Göran

[Hilo Jason]

Great photos and narration Lars! 

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

Beautiful, Lars!  And you found the northernmost Coconut Palm in Japan, and it looks really good!

John

[palmfriend]

Hi,

Thank you everyone for your kind comments - especially about the aquatic Cyrtostachys renda!

16 hours ago, Xenon said:

Might be common for you but those Satakentia are 

Nice pics (moreeee please)! 

Ok, I am on it! 

11 hours ago, bgl said:

Wow Lars, what a great place and great photos! Would definitely love to visit - once Japan is open for business again! 

Greetings from Fairbanks!

Bo-Göran

Bo-Göran,

Thank you very much and warm greetings back!

I am glad that I could do the trip and that I can share it here on palmtalk!

I am sure I have just scratched the surface of this prefecture's flora, another trip to the very south

should be the next goal. (e.g. Ishigaki island, home of Satakentia liukiuensis). 

And yes, it would be nice to say one day 'Hello' to you again.  

11 hours ago, Hilo Jason said:

Great photos and narration Lars! 

Jason,

Thank you very much! I am glad you are enjoying it! 

(PS: Looking forward to an update from your garden...)

9 minutes ago, Mr. Coconut Palm said:

Beautiful, Lars!  And you found the northernmost Coconut Palm in Japan, and it looks really good!

John

John,

Thank you very much! I was really surprised to find such a nice looking one because it can get

really chilly up there during the winter. However, I am glad I could provide a piece of information

to our coconut palm growing community.

Lars

 

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

6 minutes ago, palmfriend said:

Hi,

Thank you everyone for your kind comments - especially about the aquatic Cyrtostachys renda!

Ok, I am on it! 

Bo-Göran,

Thank you very much and warm greetings back!

I am glad that I could do the trip and that I can share it here on palmtalk!

I am sure I have just scratched the surface of this prefecture's flora, another trip to the very south

should be the next goal. (e.g. Ishigaki island, home of Satakentia liukiuensis). 

And yes, it would be nice to say one day 'Hello' to you again.  

Jason,

Thank you very much! I am glad you are enjoying it! 

(PS: Looking forward to an update from your garden...)

John,

Thank you very much! I was really surprised to find such a nice looking one because it can get

really chilly up there during the winter. However, I am glad I could provide a piece of information

to our coconut palm growing community.

Lars

 

You are welcome, Lars.  They are at least slightly more cold hardy than they are usually given credit for, especially certain varieties, and if they are grown ALL ORGANICALLY, that can actually increase the cold hardiness of them by at least a couple of degrees F.  Maybe it is a  Green Hawaiian Tall, which can apparently take some more chilly weather than other varieties, or maybe it is an Indian Tall from North Central India???

John

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

Just now, Mr. Coconut Palm said:

You are welcome, Lars.  They are at least slightly more cold hardy than they are usually given credit for, especially certain varieties, and if they are grown ALL ORGANICALLY, that can actually increase the cold hardiness of them by at least a couple of degrees F.  Maybe it is a  Green Hawaiian Tall, which can apparently take some more chilly weather than other varieties, or maybe it is an Indian Tall from North Central India???

John

There is also apparently a variety of Coconut Palm from the area near Hong Kong that can supposedly grow in inland somewhat chillier areas in winter than most varieties are used to that may rival the cold hardiness of the Indian Tall from North Central India.

[palmfriend]

###

Ok, final day. Before heading back to Naha, a long stop at the Southeast Botanical Garden was

planned and it paid off, I would say. If you are interested, please be my guest.

The farewell at my place of stay - a family guesthouse (I chose it on purpose because I was 

interested in having conversation with the owners who turned out to be very competent 

about Okinawa's flora) - was very warmhearted. The owner even cut off small parts of some

of his plants for me to be grown in my own garden, I was really touched. I hope to take my

family back there one day and tell them about their plants in my garden...

Before I left the area I paid a visit to the Oceanic Culture Museum.

It was definitely interesting, explaining everything related to the settlement of the Pacific islands (

Samoa, Hawaii, etc...) - languages, navigation and most interesting, how important the coconut palm

was - not just as source of food, no, how it was used to make ropes to build their gigantic double-

canoes, too. And yes - I was again the only visitor... 

Finally I got in the car and drove off, took the highway, left it at Okinawa-city and was soon stuck

in a short stop&go on the final kilometer to the garden when soemthing caught my attention. Still

in line at the traffic light I noticed a plant fair in a parking area close by. Of course I made a turn and

entered the area to find about it. 

I parked my car, got out and started to glance at the stands and the displayed plants. It didn't take

long that something caught my eye...

...

...

...

I have not seen anything like this before. It looks like a washie-bonsai, called "Tama-kuma" in 

Japanese. I asked the owner if he is root pruning or putting ropes around the stem to stop the

growing but he said no, it is natural. When I went home I checked the internet about it but could

not find anything internationally - it looks like an Okinawian 'thing'.  May be some of our Californian

palmtalkers came across this once.... 

However, after a long stroll at the fair I finally went on to the botanical garden.

At the entrance very tall Archontophoenix alexandrae andWashingtonia robusta are welcoming you. 

I have to mention that Alexander palms are the main palm of this garden but of course there are many

other species, too.

There are smaller and lorger ponds, restauraunts and a mini-zoo to offer something for every visitor.

I moved slowly to a section with different palm sepcies...

...a Butia - but which species I am not sure (...capitata?)

Veitchia arecina...

...seeds on the ground

Raphia farinifera -...

Its leaves were huge. I tried them once from seed but had no luck so far.

Dictyosperma album - beautiful!

Not sure, a Latania I would say...

Two Cocos nucifera. The photo is not doing justice - the one on the right side was huge. 

The smaller one was already fruiting at chest -high level. I wonder what species it might be.

A yellowish Latania (?)...

Moving on and reaching my favorite spot. A small trail packed with palms and other plants.

...

Here a Satakentia - IDed last time thanks @Zeeth - ...

 

Looking up, Veitchia palms as well... There were plenty of Areca catechu palms, too.

Seedlings and...

...and a lot of seeds all around.

 

These were quite large, but I do not know from which palm they have fallen of. 

A final glance back and I got aware of another species - barely to make out.

...

...

I can't say what species they are - may be someone else can help out. 

Setting the final course back around the pond and almost missed this one...

...

The label was very general, it just said 'Florida key's palm'... I guess a Thrinax palm but no idea which 

one. But I was glad that I found it, since it is the first Floridian palm that I saw in a garden at all.

Finally I went across the street to another area of the botanical garden - sporting a Cyathea grove...

..and a huge Alexander palm grove.

But on the way I got aware of this Phoenix palm. 

I think the crown was larger than those of a Phoenix roebelenii - it looked beautiful.

The Alexander palm grove...

...

Very impressive!

Mature palms, young ones, seedlings and seeds all over the place. As mentioned once, the

Archontophoenix alexandrae species is already listed in Okinawian books as naturalized...

After leaving the garden in the late afternoon I went back to Naha, flight home was on the next day.

 

Alright everyone, thank you very much for joining on my trip to the Okinawa main island. 

I hope you enjoyed it bit and I am sorry for still my improvable ID-skills...

 

best regards from Miyako island/Okinawa

Lars

 

 

 

[HtownPalms]

Thanks for sharing pictures of this wonderful place. I never knew parts of Japan are so tropical. Beautiful! 

[necturus]

4 hours ago, HtownPalms said:

Thanks for sharing pictures of this wonderful place. I never knew parts of Japan are so tropical. Beautiful! 

Like Taiwan, most or all of Okinawa is technically subtropical, but from a palm growing perspective I doubt there's really any limitations. I highly recommend visiting both islands. We visited the Ryukyu Islands a few years ago and loved it. 

[HtownPalms]

3 hours ago, necturus said:

Like Taiwan, most or all of Okinawa is technically subtropical, but from a palm growing perspective I doubt there's really any limitations. I highly recommend visiting both islands. We visited the Ryukyu Islands a few years ago and loved it. 

It is definitely a top destination that I would like to go to someday!