Spring is coming. Winter buds are unfurling even under occasional snow showers. Plum flowers are already falling. We must be ready for cherry blossoms in a couple of weeks. Niiharu Citizen Forest 新治市民の森 is not an exception. We Lovers are finding lots of frog eggs in ponds. “Don’t you think it’s a bit earlier than usual?” “Yeah.” “And I’ve found not only the eggs of Montane brown frogs (my post on March 31, 2023). There are lots of eggs for toads.” “Me too!” Surely, spring is coming. Another light-hearted news. Polystichum polyblepharum is back. Let me explain.
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| Many kinds of eggs |
These days we have been worrying the health of a part of Niiharu Forest where ferns are covering the ground beneath the afforested cedars. When the spot was a private property years ago, the landlord planted lots of Japanese cedars which loved humid environment like here in a valley along small stream from springs. Inevitably, the place was also favored by ferns, especially humidity enjoying Polystichum polyblepharum. Then, after Typhoon Hagibis in 2019 when lots of cedars there were damaged, we noticed apparent decline in the colony of Polystichum polyblepharum. “Hmmmmm … in any case, we had to deal with the broken and fallen cedars. So, our intervention was inevitable.” “The level of humidity has been continuously declining in the slope of the hill for decades as the other side was completely developed for housing, right? The underground water vein was already damaged by concreated roads and housings.” “Even though, was it a right thing for us removing the fallen trees which would increase the direct sunshine coming into the valley?” The discussion is continuing …
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| The power of typhoon … |
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| Yet, in 2020 6 months later of the typhoon Polystichum polyblepharum was yet standing … |
Instead of Polystichum polyblepharum, another ferns like Arachniodes standishii that is more tolerant of drier environment began overtaking the space of Polystichum polyblepharum. Yeah, this fern is also beautiful, but I would say, its mysteriousness is a touch short of the atmosphere Polystichum polyblepharum creates. Last year, there came another theory. “Maybe, Polystichum polyblepharum is sick.” “Meaning?” “At least we have not found massive attack by caterpillars of sawflies, or leaf beetles.” “Or, they are infected by some virus (; yup, we’re in the post-COVID era) that causes the decline of the species.” “Like?” “Brown spots.” “Hmmmmmmm …” “Have you found leaves of Polystichum polyblepharum that are affected by brown spots for sure?” “Er …” We were wondering what was happening there, and if there was something we can do for that.
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| A year later, in 2021, from the above photo. Could you feel a change? |
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| And in 2022. Don’t you think the scenery looks scarce of something? |
Then, this year we’ve found in the valley lots of buds of Polystichum polyblepharum! Polystichum polyblepharum has Japanese name “Inode 猪手“ which means “Boar’s Hand.” It is said that for ancient people the buds of Polystichum polyblepharum looked like boar’s hand (foot?), and so they called the fern Inode. Early March this year we could find lots of cute boar’s hands here and there. Hurrah! “Oh, I’m so relieved to see them now!” “Last snowfall let the boughs of cedars falling on the boar’s hands. Let us clean up and help the baby to grow easily.” “Yup!” We did a little bit of cleaning over the head of the buds of Polystichum polyblepharum. Maybe, their previous ones were old enough to show apparent decline. Now, they are recovering with seedlings. I’m not sure if the kids of Polystichum polyblepharum can grow up beautiful adults. If our speculation on the changes in water vein is apt, they may have difficulty in survival. Yet still … I’m keep crossing my fingers for our concern being needless anxiety because due to human short temper, not out of the calm flow of forest time … Cherry blossoms are coming!
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| A baby is born! |
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| Lots of babies! |
If you find a problem in the greenery of north-half of Yokohama, please make a contact with
Office for the Park Greeneries in the North
北部公園緑地事務所
Yokohama Municipal Government Creative Environment Policy Bureau
横浜市環境創造局
Phone: 045-311-2016
FAX: 045-316-8420
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