Pink Japanese Snowbell (Styrax Japonicus 'Pink Chimes') ベニハナエゴノキ（ピンクチャイム）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus) is native to eastern Asia and can be found across Japan, producing pendulant white and pink flowers from May to June. Those in this post are specifically pink Japanese snowbells (Styrax japonicus 'Pink Chimes'). The flowers are pretty but Japanese snowbells also produce pretty fruits in autumn, which look like almond chocolates.    

2022/5/13

Japanese Snowbell (Styrax Japonicus) エゴノキ

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

It's been two years since I last photographed Japanese snowbell flowers (Styrax japonicus). Last year, the blossoms in my neighborhood had fallen due to strong winds before I took photos. The tree is called "Egonoki," which means a "bitter tree" due to the bitter fruit. 

2024/5/6

Pretty & Gross - Galls on Japanese Snowbell😱 キモカワ - エゴノネコアシ😱

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Something is pretty and GROSS, and Japanese snowbell is one such example. In May, it produces beautiful snow white flowers but a month later, it produces not only beautiful pale green fruits but also something looking like flower buds. Don't be deceived, however. They're galls of Ceratovacuna nekoashi.

A gall is an abnormal, localized outgrowth or swelling of plant tissue caused by infection from bacteria, fungi, viruses, and nematodes or irritation by insects and mites (Britannica). And galls on Japanese snowbell trees are caused by APHIDS, meaning these green things which look like some flower buds contain many many aphids😱! If I hadn't known this, I must've touched them!

Galls on Japanese snowbell trees are called "Cat paws on Japanese snowbell" in Japanese and you can see why. The galls look like cat paws, but the name, which doesn't mention the important fact that they aren't cat paws or flowers but contain bugs😂, bothers me...

Ceratovacuna nekoashi エゴノネコアシ

A gall on Styrax japonicus  エゴノネコアシ

Galls on Styrax Japonicus (Japanese Snowbell) are Cute but GROSS😱 エゴノネコアシはキモカワ😱

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Do you know something cute but GROSS? This is a gall of ceratovacuna nekoashi on styrax japonicus or Japanese snowbell. A gall is an abnormal, localized outgrowth or swelling of plant tissue caused by infection from bacteria, fungi, viruses, and nematodes or irritation by insects and mites (Britannica). And galls on Japanese snowbell trees are caused by APHIDS, meaning these green things which look like some fruits or flower buds contain many many aphids😱! I didn't know that, so I almost touched the galls!

Galls on Japanese snowbell trees are called "Cat paws on Japanese snowbell" and I see why. The galls look like cat paws, but the name, which doesn't mention the important fact that they aren't cat paws or flowers but contain bugs😂, bothers me... 

A gall on Japanese snowbell エゴノネコアシ

Fruits of Japanese Camellia and Japanese Snowbell ツバキとエゴノキの実

Japanese follows English.　英語の後に日本語が続きます。

I've often seen fruits recently. Do you know what they are?

  

It's not an apple! リンゴじゃありません！

But look like apples from a distance... 遠くからだとリンゴ｡｡｡

They are camellia fruits, which really surprised me. I didn't know that Japanese camellia bears such pretty fruits. The next question is below. Do you know what these fruits are? 

Their shape is like cherries 形はサクランボ

Is autumn coming? 秋の気配？

These are fruits of styrax japonica or Japanese snowbell, a pretty name, isn't it? But it's not like that in Japanese. Japanese snowbell is called "Egonoki," meaning "egui tree" or "acrid tree" after its taste. And it's actually not only acrid but also poisonous....😱 Japanese snowbell is another example of "Don't be fooled by the appearance" plants....

"Egui" originally means only acrid, but has changed to have various meanings, such as terrible, gross, and even ewww... People change and words change, too.... 

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赤い実は椿の実。椿がこんなリンゴみたいな実を付けるなんて知りませんでした。

緑のちっちゃいのはエゴノキの実。名前の由来は実の味が「えぐい」からだそうです。英語では「Japanese snowbell」。英語の方が圧倒的にカワイイ！でも実の味はえぐく、有毒だそうです。人、じゃなくて植物も見かけによりません😱

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