Japanese cedar - Japanese cedar

An evergreen shrub or small tree of the Araliaceae family (APG classification: Araliaceae), 3-6 meters tall. Also called Tsuudatsuboku (passing tree) or Tsuusou (passing grass). The leaves are alternate and gather at the ends of the branches, similar to those of the Fatsia japonica, 50-70 cm in diameter. Palmately 6-8 lobes, the ends of the lobes are further shallowly lobed 2-3 times. The underside is densely covered with white fluff. Around December, a panicle-shaped inflorescence 50-60 cm long and densely covered with pale brown fluff grows at the top, and small pale greenish-white flowers gather in a scattered shape. There are four petals and stamens, and occasionally five. The fruits are small and globular, ripening to a black color. Native to southern mainland China and Taiwan, they grow quickly, and are planted in warm areas south of the southern Kanto region. In Tokyo, the above-ground parts die in winter. For propagation, small seedlings emerge from the underground stems around the plant, which are then divided. The pith of the stem is large and white, and is used to make Tsusoushi paper for writing and drawing, as well as to make artificial flowers such as underwater flowers, and as stuffing for packaging.

[Yoshio Kobayashi November 17, 2021]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ウコギ科（APG分類：ウコギ科）の常緑低木ないし小高木で、高さ3～6メートル。ツウダツボク（通脱木）またはツウソウ（通草）ともいう。葉は互生して枝先に集まり、ヤツデに似ており、径50～70センチメートル。掌状に6～8裂し、裂片の先はさらに浅く2～3裂する。裏面は白色の綿毛を密生する。12月ごろ、淡褐色の綿毛を密生した長さ50～60センチメートルの円錐(えんすい)花序を頂生し、散形状に集まって淡緑白色の小花を開く。花弁、雄しべとも4個で、まれに5個のものもある。果実は小球形で黒く熟す。中国大陸南部、台湾原産で、成長は早く、関東地方南部以南の暖地で植栽される。東京では冬に地上部が枯れる。繁殖は、株の周りに地下茎から小苗が出るので、これを株分けする。茎の髄が白くて大きく、これから書画用紙などにする通草紙をつくり、また、水中花など造花の材料、包装の詰め物などにした。

［小林義雄　2021年11月17日］

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