Fukkisou - Fukkisou

An evergreen perennial plant of the Buxaceae family (APG classification: Buxaceae). The underground stems grow vigorously and cover the ground. The aboveground stems are 20-40 cm tall. The leaves are alternate but gather on the stem in whorls, and are egg-shaped elliptical with rough sawtooth at the top. They are thick but soft, and the underside is deep green. From late spring to early summer, short spikes are produced at the top of the stem, and many male flowers and a few female flowers are densely packed in the same inflorescence. Both male and female flowers have four tepals. Male flowers have four stamens, and female flowers have a four-lobed ovary with two styles, each with one ovule. The drupe is egg-shaped, about 6 mm long, and ripens to a white color. It grows in colonies under forests in mountainous areas, distributed from Hokkaido to Kyushu and Chugoku. The name comes from its abundant reproductive power, and it is also known as Kichijisou (Lucky Grass). It is often planted in gardens, and there are varieties such as Fuirifukkisou and Fukurinfukkisou.

[Kyoshio Furusawa May 19, 2020]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ツゲ科（APG分類：ツゲ科）の常緑多年草。地下茎はよく伸びて繁茂し、地表を覆う。地上茎は高さ20～40センチメートル。葉は互生であるが茎上に集まって輪生状にみえ、卵状楕円(だえん)形で上部に粗い鋸歯(きょし)がある。厚みはあるが柔らかく、裏面は深緑色。晩春から初夏、茎頂に短い穂状花序をつくり、多数の雄花と少数の雌花を同一花序に密につける。雌・雄花ともに花被片(かひへん)は4枚。雄花は雄しべが4本、雌花は2花柱をもつ4室の子房があり、各室に胚珠(はいしゅ)が1個ある。核果は卵円形で長さ約6ミリメートル、白色に熟す。山地の樹林下に群生し、北海道から九州、および中国に分布する。名は、繁殖力が豊かであることに由来し、別名キチジソウ（吉祥草）ともいう。よく庭に植えられ、フイリフッキソウ、フクリンフッキソウなどの品種がある。

［古澤潔夫　2020年5月19日］

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