カイジ浜：星砂と亜熱帯の植物
竹富島の海岸線は亜熱帯地方特有の植生で、沖縄でも数少なくなった自然林で、多様な自然環境を観察するスポットです。竹富島の砂浜は、東西南北それぞれに特徴がありますが、カイジ浜は星砂のある場所として知られています。星砂は、海藻などに付着した有孔虫（ホシズナ：Baculogypsina sphaerulata）の遺骸が砂浜に打ち上げられたものです。幸福をもたらすといわれている星砂ですが、島にはアイヤル浜の民話があり、「海の大蛇に食べられた星の子どもの骨が流れつき、香炉で焚いた煙によって天に帰る」という民話があり、古くから言い伝えられています。
植物
A)がじゅまる
B)ももたまな
C)おおはまほう
D)はすのはぎり
E)てりはくさとべら
F)そうしじゅ
G)てりはぼく
H)そてつ
I)もんぱのき
J)あだん
K)はまだいこん
L)げっとう
M)ぐんぱいひるがお
N)はまゆう
Kaiji Hama (Kaiji Beach): Star Sand and Subtropical Foliage
The subtropical vegetation along the coastline, among the few natural forests remaining in Okinawa, makes the beach area a rewarding spot to observe Taketomi’s diverse natural environment.
Each of Taketomi’s beaches – north, south, east, and west – has its own unique characteristics, but the most distinct feature here is hoshizuna (star sand), which is made up of star-shaped particles. These are the remains of the single-celled marine organism Baculogypsina sphaerulata that are washed up on shore after becoming attached to marine vegetation. These creatures give the waters their emerald-green appearance.
Folk belief has it that star sand brings happiness. According to an old tale from Aiyaru Hama (Aiyaru Beach), the tiny forms are the bones of baby stars that were eaten by a great sea serpent. Burning them in an incense burner allows the star-children to return to heaven.
PLANTS (NB: Japanese romaji and hiragana for graphics positioning only)
A) Gajumaru がじゅまるBanyan (Ficus benghalensis)
B) Momotamana ももたまなIndian almond (Terminalia catappa)
C) Oohamahou おおはまほうHamabo hibiscus (Hibiscus hamabo)
D) Hasunohagiri はすのはぎりLantern tree (Hernandia nymphaeaefolia)
E) Terihakusatobera てりはくさとべらJapanese pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira)
F) Soushiju そうしじゅAcacia petit (Acacia confusa)
G) Terihaboku てりはぼくBeauty leaf (Calophyllum inophyllum)
H) Sotetsu そてつCycad (Cycas revoluta)
I) Monpanoki もんぱのきCommon heliotrope (Heliotrope arborescens)
J) Adan あだんScrew pine (Pandanus odorifer)
K) Hamadaikon はまだいこんJapanese wild radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. raphanistroides)
L) Getto げっとうShell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet)
M) Gunpaihirugao ぐんぱいひるがおSeaside morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
N) Hamayu はまゆうSpider lily (Crinum asiaticum)
