Saxifrage - Yukinoshita

Japanese: ユキノシタ - ゆきのした

A semi-evergreen perennial plant of the Saxifragaceae family (APG classification: Saxifragaceae). In spring, it spreads many thin runners and propagates by producing small seedlings at the nodes and tips. The leaves are kidney-shaped, fleshy, soft, and covered with short and long white hairs, with a reddish underside. Some have white cloud-like spots on the upper surface. In the dry season and winter, the petioles lie flat on the ground. In early summer, it produces flower stalks over 20 cm long and blooms in a cone shape. It has five thin petals, the upper three of which have small dark red spots, while the lower two are large, of varying sizes, and white. It is a magnificent sight when it blooms in a dim, shady area. Native to Japan and China, it grows on the ground in damp forests and often grows between stone walls. It has been used as a folk medicine since ancient times, with the juice from the rubbed leaves and the leaves roasted over a fire to treat convulsions, burns, and rashes in young children, and is also eaten. Closely related plants such as Daimondjisou and Jinjisou often grow on the damp rocky surfaces of mountain stream banks.

[Kiyoro Yoshie March 18, 2020]

Cultural history

Its distribution is almost exclusively limited to human settlements, and it is thought to have been a naturalized plant from China. It spread during the Edo period and was also used in flower arranging. In the "Tashikihen" (1612), the Chinese name "kojiso" is pronounced "toranomimi". The name saxifrage was first mentioned in the "Rikka Shodoshu" (1684), where it is listed among plants that grow near water. The "Nageire Flower Transmission Book" (1684) recommends it as a stone carrier, and the "Chikinsho" (1694) states that "it can be planted in the shade of a tree or on a rock." Nakamura Hiroshi believes the etymology is "yuki no tongue" ("Origin of Plant Names").

[Hiroshi Yuasa March 18, 2020]

[Reference item] | Jinjisou | Daimonjisou

Saxifrage
It grows on the surface of damp forests and has been used as a folk medicine since ancient times. It produces long flower stalks and blooms from May to July. It has five petals, the top three of which are small and the bottom two are large. ©Shogakukan Photo by Masatoshi Hirose ">

Saxifrage

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

ユキノシタ科（APG分類：ユキノシタ科）の半常緑多年草。春、細い走出枝を多数広げ、節や先に小苗をつけて繁殖する。葉は腎円(じんえん)形多肉質で柔らかく、長短の白毛があり、裏面は赤色を帯びる。表面は白雲状の斑(ふ)のあるものもある。乾期や冬は、葉柄を地表に伏せる。初夏、20センチメートル以上の花柄を出し、円錐(えんすい)状に花をつける。花弁は細く5枚、上方3枚は小さく濃紅色の斑点(はんてん)があり、下方2枚は大形で大小不同、白色である。薄暗い陰地に満開になるとみごとである。日本、および中国原産で、湿った林内の地表に生え、石垣の間などでよく育つ。古来民間薬として、もみ汁や葉を火であぶったものを幼児のひきつけ、やけど、かぶれなどに重用するとともに、食用にもされる。近縁のダイモンジソウやジンジソウなどは、渓流岸の湿った岩面に生育することが多い。

［吉江清朗　2020年3月18日］

文化史

分布はほぼ人里に限られ、中国からの帰化植物とみられる。江戸時代に広がり、いけ花にも使われた。『多識編』（1612）では、漢名の虎耳草(こじそう)に登良乃美美(とらのみみ)と訓じる。ユキノシタの名は『立華正道集(りっかしょうどうしゅう)』（1684）が古く、水際に生える草木中にあげられている。『拠入花伝書(なげいればなでんしょ)』（1684）は石荷をあて、『花壇地錦抄(ちきんしょう)』（1694）は「木かげ又はぼく（木）石等に植えてよし」と述べる。中村浩は語源を雪の舌とみた（『植物名の由来』）。

［湯浅浩史　2020年3月18日］

[参照項目] | ジンジソウ | ダイモンジソウ

ユキノシタ

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例

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