On May 26, 2001, I observed maples of the Shirabiso pass, Kamimura Nagano Prefecture.
I have visited there many times. I have already checked at least17 kinds of maples
at this region up to the altitude of 1900m till now. This time I could take photos of
flowers of Minekaede (A. tschonoskii) as well as those of Kominekaede (A. micranthum)
at the Shirabiso pass for the first time.

In a wide meaning of Minekaede (A. tschonoskii), there are standard Minekaede (A. tschonoskii),
Nangokuminekaede (A. australe), and Ohbaminekaede (A. tschonoskii var. macrophyllum) in Japan.

It has been proved that this type is Nangokuminekaede (A. australe) judging from these facts,
such as width & length of sepals & petals and the shape of leaves.

Now, it is the flower season of maples at the end of May in the area more than 1000m of Chubu District.
This time, depending on altitude, I could watch those flowers of maples in full bloom mostly,
such as crimson flowers of Hauchiwakaede (A. japonicum),
white flowers of Kohauchiwakaede (A. sieboldianum),
yellow flowers of Itomakiitaya (A.pictum var. savatieri),
and yellow flowers of Urihadakaede (A. rufinerve).

Furthermore, I could watch light green flowers of Hosoekaede (A. capillipes),
light yellowish green & reddish flowers of Nangokuminekaede (A. australe)
and whitish flowers of Kominekaede (A. micranthum) begin to bloom.
Ogarabana (A. ukurunduense) did not have flowers yet.
In case of Chidorinoki (A. carpinifolium), Asanohakaede (A. argutum),
Enkoukaede (A.pictum var. marmoratum), their flowers had already changed into seed form with wings.

When going from Hamamatsu to the Shirabiso pass now,
I pass through the border between Shizuoka Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture.
At the prefectural border is the Hyogoshi pass, which is about 1100m above sea level,
and there are also observed more than 10 kinds of maples.

Flowers of Hosoekaede are beginning to bloom just then.
Flowers of Urihadakaede are yellow, but those of Hosoekaede present thin greenish color.

I went out for observation of maple flowers relying on my knowledge and my expectation,
but it was lucky that my purpose was fortunately satisfied.