Iju - Iju

An evergreen tall tree of the Theaceae family (APG classification: Theaceae). The leaves grow alternately in clusters at the ends of the branches, are leathery, oblong, 7-15cm long, and have bluntly sawtoothed or wavy edges. The flowers grow singly in the axils of the branch ends, are white, about 3cm in diameter, and have 5 petals. The fruits are oblate, woody, and about 2cm in diameter. They grow in relatively sunny areas and are common in secondary forests. The wood is resistant to termites and is used for pillars of storehouses. The bark contains saponin and is used as a fish poison. A species endemic to Okinawa, its pure white flowers blooming in the mountains and fields in early summer are often sung in Ryukyu poetry. The Himetsubaki of the Ogasawara Islands is a very close relative.

[Keiichi Shimabukuro April 16, 2021]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ツバキ科（APG分類：ツバキ科）の常緑高木。葉は枝端に束生して互生、革質で長楕円(ちょうだえん)形、長さ7～15センチメートル、縁(へり)は鈍鋸歯(どんきょし)ないし波状。花は枝端の葉腋(ようえき)に単生し白色、径約3センチメートル、花弁は5枚。果実は扁球(へんきゅう)形で木質、径約2センチメートル。比較的陽地に生え、二次林に多い。材は耐蟻(たいぎ)性があり、高倉の柱に利用。樹皮はサポニンを含み魚毒に使う。沖縄に固有の種で、初夏の山野に白く咲く花は清楚(せいそ)で、琉歌(りゅうか)にもよく詠まれている。小笠原(おがさわら)諸島のヒメツバキはごく近縁のものである。

［島袋敬一　2021年4月16日］

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