英語の後に日本語が続きます。
These are ivy-leaved speedwell (Veronica hederifolia). They're native to Europe and resemble corn speedwell (Veronica arvensis), which is also native to Europe, but ivy-leaved speedwell's stems and leaves are hairy unlike corn speedwell's. Ivy-leaved speedwell's Japanese name is "tsutaba inu no fuguri," which translates to "ivy-leaved dog's balls (terrible!)." Other three speedwells also have terrible Japanese names as follows:
- Grey field-speedwell (Veronica polita) named "inu no fuguri," which translates to "dog's balls," after the resemblance of its fruit shape to dog's balls.
- Persian speedwell (Veronica persica) named "ooinu no fuguri," which translates to "large dog's balls" after its larger flowers than those of grey field-speedwell.
- Corn speedwell (Veronica arvensis) named "tachi inu no fuguri," which translates to "standing dog's balls" after its stems standing upright.
All were named as such by Tomitaro Makino (1862 - 1957) after the fruits of grey field speedwell, whose shape resembles the balls of a dog (scroll down to see them). Tomitaro Makino is a Japanese botanist. He dropped out of elementary school after two years, but studied botany on his own and eventually received a Doctor of Science degree from the University of Tokyo.
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