Chinese Privet (Ligustrum Lucidum) トウネズミモチ（唐鼠黐）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

The Chinese privet (Ligustrum lucidum) is native to China, came to Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912), and can now be found across the country. It produces flowers from June to July in Japan and fruits (scroll down) in October, which are green at first and turn purplish black toward winter. The tree's Japanese name is "tou nezumi mochi," which translates into "Chinese mouse mochi," after the fruits looking like mouse droppings and the leaves resembling those of the mochi tree or the elegance female holly (Ilex integra). The fruits of Chinese privet are used in herbal medicine despite their mouse dropping like appearances. 

The Chinese privet is widely planted in urban areas (e.g., Tokyo) because it's highly tolerant against air pollution, heavy urban smog, and poor soil conditions. 

2026/6/22