Magnolia obovata (magnolia tree)

Japanese: ホオノキ(朴の木) - ホオノキ（英語表記）Magnolia obovata

A deciduous tall tree of the Magnoliaceae family. It is a species endemic to Japan and grows in mountain forests throughout the country. Its trunk is upright and towers to a height of 20m and a diameter of 1m, with whitish bark. The branches branch out sparsely at the top, and large, obovate leaves up to 30cm long are arranged in a whorl. The undersides of the leaves are powdery white. The young shoots are beautiful with a reddish tinge. Around May, yellowish-white flowers about 20cm in diameter appear at the ends of the branches, and give off a strong fragrance. There are many petals, stamens, and pistils, and they resemble the flowers of the Chinese magnolia. In autumn, it produces oblong fruits with red seeds that draw white threads. The wood is soft and yellowish, and is used for printing blocks, sword sheaths, and wooden clogs. The leaves have also been used since ancient times to wrap rice balls and miso paste.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

モクレン科の落葉高木。日本の特産種で，各地の山地の林中に生える。幹は直立してそびえ高さ 20m，直径 1mにも達し，帯白色の樹皮をもつ。上方でまばらに分枝した枝には，倒卵形で長さ 30cmに達する大きな葉をやや輪生状に集めてつける。葉の裏は粉をふいたように白い。また若芽は赤みを帯びて美しい。5月頃，枝の端に径約 20cmもの帯黄白色の花をつけ，強い香気を放つ。花弁，おしべ，めしべとも多数あり，タイサンボクの花に似ている。秋に長楕円形の果実となり，中に白い糸を引く赤い種子ができる。材は柔らかく黄色みを帯び，版木，刀の鞘，下駄の歯などに使われる。また古くから葉を握り飯や味噌などを包むのに用いた。

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