
More evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved trees than conifers grow 
on Kyushu, indicating the influence on vegetation of a warm climate with 
high rainfall. Growing only on southern Kyushu and southward are the 
banyan tree (Ficus superba) and two genera of palm trees, Cycas and 
Livistona., Also found mainly in the southern ranges is greenbrier (Smilax 
nipponica). Four species of evergreen oaks (Cyclobalanopsis) and Quercus 
phylliraeoides, Lithocarpus edulus, Machiles thunbergii and Distylium 
racemosum are found below 2,800 feet in the range of the southern green 
pheasant. Deciduous broad-leaved trees and bamboo species are similar to 
those found in more northern green pheasant ranges. Understory vegetation 
favored by the warm climate includes both tall and dwarf bamboos. 
Chinese silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis) covers many small clearings 
between cultivated croplands and forests. The following plants frequently 
grow wild along roadsides and in cultivated fields: Lespedeza bicolor, 
Lespedeza cumeata, Medicago lupulina, Trifolium repens, Pueraria thun- 
bergiana and grass of the genera Agrostis, Cynodon, Imperata, Poa and 
Zoysia. Western bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) is also represented, 
Vegetation appearing mainly in northern Kyushu includes genera of Carex, 
Cymbopogon, Erigeron, Ixeris and Solidago. 
Soils on Kyushu are similar to those noted in the northern green 
pheasant range but are more acid due to higher rainfall conditions. 
Prior to 1900 the southern green pheasant was introduced into Hawaii 
from Japan, Two regions of present-day concentrations of this pheasant 
are the windward slopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, Hawaii. Description 
of this habitat is taken from Schwartz (17): 
"Green pheasant thrive best on the better soils in moist, open 
forests, Although they occur in all extreme elevations where ringnecks 
are found, areas of concentration lie mostly between 4,000 and 7,500 feet. 
Here temperatures are generally cool with an annual mean between 50° and 
60°F. Topography is gently sloping. All occupied areas lie adjacent to 
regions of very high rainfall although the amount falling annually in 
specific ranges varies between 125 inches at lower elevations and 20 
inches at higher limits. A general characteristic of the best green 
pheasant range is frequent mists, sometimes for days at a time, so while 
rainfall is not always heavy the amount of moisture is great. 
"High densities occur where cover consists of scattered clumps of 
koa trees interspersed with grassy meadows containing mixed herbaceous 
growth; populations thin out in open grasslands, sugar-cane lands, or 
denser forests. Heavy grazing has been responsbile for opening much of 
the forest into grassland. In densely-forested portions grazing at 
present is creating more desirable green pheasant range, but in regions 
with optimum interspersion now, continued grazing will tend to prevent 
tree reproduction and hence reduce habitable range, We believe the green 
pheasant is decreasing through hybridization since its more restricted 
distribution and lower numbers tend to favor the ringneck,"' 
16 
