Japanese Cobra Lily
Vibrant Reds of the Japanese Cobra Lily in Hakone’s Woodlands
「箱根の森で見つけたカントウマムシグサ（関東蝮草）」
The natural trail winding through the woodlands around the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone, Japan, offers visitors not only stunning outdoor sculptures but also a variety of fascinating flowering plants that thrive alongside the artworks.
In this shot, I captured the vibrant seed pod of a Japanese cobra lily (Arisaema serratum・関東蝮草). This woodland perennial, known for its striking appearance, is a hermaphroditic flowering plant that produces these vivid red berries between mid- and late summer.
One intriguing fact I learned about this plant is that its roots are highly toxic—and it relies on flies for pollination! As someone with little knowledge of botany, I was genuinely surprised to discover that even the much-maligned fly plays a vital role as a pollinator. Am I the only one who didn’t know this?
Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 09:40・2024/10/15
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 160 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2.0
Velvia/Vivid film simulation
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Join me and my border collie as we explore the serene nature trail weaving through the woodlands surrounding the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone, Japan. Along the way, we capture travel photography, macro shots, and the vibrant autumn scenery.
