An aquatic plant called "Mujinamo", a plant named by botanist Tomitaro Makino that is rarely seen in Japan, has been confirmed in Ishikawa Prefecture.
This is the first new case in the wild in 73 years, and the researchers say it "indicates the possibility of endangered plants reappearing due to environmental changes."
A research team from the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Chuo University, and Niigata University confirmed that the aquatic plant "Mujinamo", which is designated as an endangered species by IUCN = International Union for Conservation of Nature, grows naturally in Ishikawa Prefecture.
"Mujinamo" is a carnivorous plant that preys on plankton and was discovered in Tokyo in 1890 by Tomitaro Makino, a "pioneer" of plant taxonomy in Japan Japan.
It was named as a Japanese name because of its resemblance in shape to the tail of the wild animal "Mujina".
According to the research team, when they were investigating a reservoir in Ishikawa Prefecture last October, they found a "mujinamo" that had not been confirmed until then, and it can be said that it is highly likely to be a wild population based on the results of genetic analysis.
Many of the natural habitats of "Mujinamo" in Japan have been lost due to environmental degradation and development, and only two locations in Japan can be confirmed, and it is the first time in 2 years that a new habitat has been confirmed.
The research team has not released details of the location from the viewpoint of seed preservation, but it is possible that the seeds sprouted due to the removal of trees around the reservoir and the moderate amount of light.
Shogo Nishihara, a member of the research team that discovered the plant, said, "Plants can live for decades in the state of seeds, but when I discovered them, I thought it was unexpected.