Asarum tabatanum

Botanical Description

Asarum tabatanum is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of leaves up to 15cm tall from a creeping rootstock, The rather interesting, but unpleasant-smelling flowers are hidden amongst the leaves[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ]. The plant is harvested illegally from the wild for medicinal use and also to supply plants for cultivation[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Asarum tabatanum is endemic to Amami-Oshima Island in Nansei-shoto Islands in Japan. It was described in 2012 when it was separated from Asarum celsum and its exact distribution is not fully known, but based on current knowledge it has one small population of around 30 plants. Illegal collection for cultivation and for medicinal use are major threats. Some of the peripheral habitats were clear cut in the past and the slopes have become extremely dry. This species is unable to grow in such dry conditions and it will be difficult for the population to recover if this situation continues. Although the species is designated as a protected species, the protection is not enough. The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].