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高尾山は、知る人ぞ知るスミレの山。
日本では、約５０種のスミレの野生種(*1)が確認されていますが、高尾にはそのうち１８種が自生している(*2)と言われています。高尾山ならびにその周辺では、毎年３月上旬から５月下旬にかけて、あちこちで可憐なスミレの花々を観察することができます。

Mt. Takao is known as habitats for a wide variety of wild violet flowers (in Japanese, sumire, or “Sue-Mee-Ray”). In Japan, about 50 species of wild violets (*1) have been confirmed, and 18 of them are said to grow naturally in the Mt. Takao area(*2). Every year from the beginning of March to the end of May, you can find pretty violet flowers all over the place in Mt. Takao and its surroundings.

(Stealing and vandalizing wild plants in the areas designated under the Natural Parks Act are illegal and subject to a criminal charge.)
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ツボスミレ、別称ニョイスミレは、高尾のスミレの季節の最後を飾るスミレです。４月の下旬になると、里山の畦道や河原だけでなく、山中でもよく見られるようになります。

Tsubo-sumire, also known as Nyoi (“Nyo-ee”) -sumire (Viola verecunda), are the violets that decorate Takao at the end of the violet season. In late April, they are found not only in satoyama but also in the mountains.

花はとても小さく、スミレのなかでは最小クラス。遠目ではスミレとは気づかないかも知れません。それどころか近くでも気づかない方が多く、もしかしたらその存在すら認識されていないかもしれません。

The flowers are one of the smallest among violets. From a distance, you may not recognize them as violets. The flowers are so small that many people do not recognize them as violets even from nearby, and they may not even be aware of their existence.

山中の個体は全体の株も小さいので益々わかりづらいのですが、里山ではしばしば群生を作り、たくさん花をつけます。これなら誰もでわかると思うのですが。

Not only the flowers, but the size of the plant itself is small in the mountains and it may be even more difficult to spot them. In satoyama, however, they often form clusters and blossom out many flowers, making it easy to spot.

＊１
門田裕一,『日本の野生植物 ３』, (平凡社、2016), P.209
Yuichi Kadota, "Wild flowers of Japan 3," (Heibonsha K.K. 2016), P.209
＊2
東京都　高尾山ビジターセンター
The Takao Visitor Center