Symbolic Plants of Amami-Oshima

Five plants hold symbolic significance on Amami-Oshima. The fragrant screw pine grows along the coast and is planted as storm protection. Sago palms, which are not true palms but gymnosperms, once provided islanders with processed flour during lean times and are still used to make a local variety of miso. The inedible taro, whose large leaves double as umbrellas, is toxic despite resembling edible taro. Bellflower cherry trees bloom from December through March, well before mainland sakura season. The Japanese banana provides fibers for a traditional woven cloth called bashagin.