野生柑橘

The wild Citrus is hitherto very imperfectly known from the Japanese territories, though this region is generally believed to be one of the native homes of this important genus of Rutaceae. The author has repeatedly reported that Citrus taci bana TANAKA is native to Japan proper, covering the southern coasts of provinces Kii, Tosa, Hyuga, Osumi and Satsuma. Recently, its southern limit of occurence was found in the island of Sanbok (Amami Oshima), where the second wild species begins to appear. It was lately discovered that the same species (possible a veriety) occurs wild in Nagato province and in Querpert Island (Saishuto). In the main i s land of Luchu (Okinawa), a very remarkable wild species is known under the name of Suikwasha, and through the closer examination of Formosan Citrus, this was identified by the author to be Citrus depressa HAVATA, first described from Gaogan, Taihoku province. This second wild species was later found to distribute all over the Luchu Archipelago south of Sanbok. Noticeably, this species is connected ethnologically with the inhabitants of the island, just as the first species does with the forefathers of Japan proper. In Taiwan, Citrus tankan HAVATA is found in the myths of aborigines, and it does occur in the woods where they make use of it. It is not found in South China in any degree of primitive state, but is rather extensively cultivated for shipping purpose. There is another distinct species growing wild in the forests of Gaogan and Nansho (Shinchiku province), which is here described as a new species, Citrus taiwanica TANAKA & SHIMADA n. sp. This species is nearest to the sour orange, but is very distinct with its remarkably long leaves, medium-sized flat fruits with finely dotted leathery skin, and very acid deep-yellow pulp. Citrus gaoganensis HAYATA, reported wild from Gaogan, is n othing but an albino citron escaped from cultivation, and may preferably be called Citrus ,medica gaoganensis n. comb.