Kajiichigo - Kajiichigo

A semi-evergreen shrub of the Rosaceae family (APG classification: Rosaceae). It grows 1-2.5 meters tall, with a rather thick stem that is hairy but has no thorns. The leaves are large, palmate, simple, and some grow to be nearly 30 cm long, with 5-7 lobes. In April and May, several white, five-petaled flowers measuring 4-5 cm in diameter bloom at the ends of new shoots. The aggregate fruits are somewhat spherical, ripen to a reddish yellow, and have a sweet and sour taste. They reproduce vigorously through underground stems. In early spring, new shoots are called raspberries and used in flower arrangements. The name comes from the resemblance of the leaves to those of the paper oak. It is found in the warm coastal regions of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, and is often planted in residential areas. It is easy to hybridize with other Rubus species. The slightly smaller-leaved Rubus nigricans is a hybrid between this species and Rubus nigricans, and does not usually bear fruit.

[Naohiro Naruhashi December 13, 2019]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

バラ科（APG分類：バラ科）の半常緑低木。高さ1～2.5メートル、茎はやや太く、毛はあるが刺(とげ)はない。葉は掌状の大形の単葉で30センチメートル近くになるものもあり、5～7裂に切れ込む。4～5月新枝の先に径4～5センチメートルの白色の5弁花を数個開く。集合果はやや球状、赤みがかった黄色に熟し、甘酸っぱい。地下茎で盛んに繁殖する。早春のころ、新枝をキイチゴと称し、いけ花にする。名はカジノキの葉に似ることによる。本州、四国、九州の暖地の海岸地方に分布し、よく人家にも植栽される。他のキイチゴ属植物と雑種をつくりやすい。やや葉が小さいヒメカジイチゴは本種とニガイチゴとの雑種で、通常は果実をつけない。

［鳴橋直弘　2019年12月13日］

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