Ecology Protection

In today's industrialized Japan, plants do not represent what they did nor do they have the same level of importance as in days gone by. After much exploitation of nature, the heedless cutting down of trees, and the spread of pollution, people have generally come to understand that they must conserve and rehabilitate the natural environment.

According to an investigation conducted by the Environment Agency in 1991, 35 species were classified as extinct, 147 as endangered and 678 as vulnerable. Among the endangered species are fujibakama (Eupatorium japonicum), atsumorisou (Cypripedium macranthum), and marimo (Cladophora aegagropila). Plants familiar to the Japanese people, such as sakurasou (Primula sieboldii) and murasaki (Lithospermum officinale) are included in the vulnerable category.