Pieris japonica (Asebii)

Japanese: アセビ(馬酔木) - アセビ（英語表記）Pieris japonica

An evergreen shrub of the Ericaceae family that grows wild in mountainous areas west of the Kanto region and is also planted as a garden tree. It is also called ashibi. It grows to a height of 1.5-3m, and its leaves are clustered at the ends of the branches, alternate, oblanceolate, and have fine sawtooth. In early spring, it produces numerous urn-shaped white flowers in drooping racemes about 5cm long that hang down from the ends of the branches. It is said that the leaves contain a poisonous substance that paralyzes horses and cattle when eaten, hence the name 'ashibi'. A decoction of the leaves is used to exterminate pests. The wood is also used for crafts and alcove pillars.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

ツツジ科の常緑低木で，関東以西の山地に自生し，庭木としても植えられる。アシビともいう。高さ 1.5～3m，葉は枝先に集って互生し，倒披針形で細かい鋸歯がある。早春に，枝先から長さ 5cmほどの総状花序を下垂して，多数の壺状の白花をつける。葉に有毒成分が含まれているのでウマやウシが食べると麻痺するといい，馬酔木の名がある。葉の煎じ汁は害虫駆除に用いられる。材は細工物用，床柱用にも使われる。

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