Aridooshi - Aridooshi

A small evergreen shrub of the Rubiaceae family (APG classification: Rubiaceae). 30-60 cm tall. Branches are regularly bifurcated. Opposite leaves come in two shapes, large and small, with large and small alternately at each node. Spines emerge from the sides of the stipules at the nodes that bear larger leaves. Flowers open in May, are tetrameric, and white. The ovary has four locules, each with one ovule at the top. The fruits ripen red in winter and remain until the following spring. They are distributed from Japan to southern China, growing in the shade of trees in mountainous areas. They are named after their thin, sharp needles that can pierce even ants. They are planted together with the Japanese laurel and the Chinese laurel, and are considered auspicious because they are said to be "a thousand ryo and a thousand ryo." There are about 10 species of the Acanthus genus distributed in East Asia, but many of them have unique morphologies, and the relationship between the genera is not well understood.

[Makiyuki Fukuoka, May 21, 2021]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

アカネ科（APG分類：アカネ科）の常緑小低木。高さ30～60センチメートル。枝は規則的に二又状に分枝する。対生葉は大小の2形があり、1節ごとに大小を繰り返す。大きい葉をつける節の托葉(たくよう)のわきから刺針(ししん)が出る。花は5月に開き、4数性で白色。子房は4室、各室に一つの胚珠(はいしゅ)が頂生する。果実は冬に赤く熟し、翌春まで残る。日本から中国南部にかけて分布し、山地の木陰に生える。名はアリをも刺し通すほどの細く鋭い針をもつことによる。センリョウ、マンリョウとともに植え、「千両万両有通し」と縁起をかつぐ。アリドオシ属は東アジアに約10種分布するが、多くの特異な形態をもっており、属の類縁はよくわかっていない。

［福岡誠行　2021年5月21日］

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