English
English
By ATSUO BEPPU
Born in Tokyo in 1938. Passed his boyhood on Amami-oshima island. Moved to Amami again in 1974 from Tokyo. Interested in taking pictures, shooting videos and fishing.










【 TAISANBOKU 】
( Botanical name: Magnolia grandiflora )



The Taisanboku (Magnolia grandiflora) whose place of origin is North America was introduced into Japan in 1873, according to a pictorial book of Japanese Flora. This tree belongs to the magnolia family and grows as tall as 20 meters. Its flowers bloom from June to the first half of July. The diameter of the pure-white, fragrant flower reaches 15 centimeters. 
 
The size and beauty of the Taisanboku tree by the gate of Wakoen Clinic, at Ariya in Amami City, now overwhelms you. 15 years ago, it was only five to six meters tall when I shot the flowers with my video camera. The flowers bloom in threes and fives and can be enjoyed for 40 to 50 days.
 
Both the Hounoki (Magnolia obovata) and the Ogatamanoki (Michelia compressa) belong to the magnolia family. The former grows on 
Mainland Japan and the flower quite resembles that of Taisanboku. The latter (whose flower isn't so big) grows wild not only on the main island but also on Amamian and Okinawan islands.
 




 
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