Translation guide
A tall wetland plant with a brown, sausage-shaped flower spike. In Japanese, it is most commonly known as ガマ, but other names exist depending on context.
ガマ
great reedmace (plant)
Referring to the plant species Typha latifolia or similar, in everyday or botanical contexts.
The most common Japanese name for the great reedmace (also called bulrush or cattail). Used in everyday conversation and general writing.
池のそばにガマが生えている。
Great reedmaces are growing by the pond.
The kanji for ガマ. Often used in literary or formal contexts, or in plant names.
蒲の穂が風に揺れている。
The reedmace spikes are swaying in the wind.
Literally 'large ガマ', sometimes used to specifically refer to Typha latifolia (great reedmace) as opposed to other species.
この湿地にはオオガマが群生している。
Great reedmaces grow in clusters in this wetland.
Referring specifically to the brown, sausage-shaped part of the plant.
Literally 'ear/spike of the ガマ'. The standard way to refer to the flower spike.
蒲の穂を乾燥させて生け花に使う。
They dry reedmace spikes and use them in ikebana.
Same as 蒲の穂, but written in katakana. Common in casual or spoken contexts.
子供の頃、ガマの穂を集めて遊んだ。
When I was a child, I used to collect reedmace spikes and play with them.
Referring to the fluffy seeds or fibers from the spike, often used practically.
Literally 'cotton of the ガマ'. Refers to the fluffy seed fibers, historically used as tinder or stuffing.
蒲の絮は火口として使われた。
Reedmace fluff was used as tinder.
Another term for the fluffy seeds, emphasizing the downy hairs.
ガマの綿毛が風に飛ばされている。
The reedmace fluff is being blown by the wind.
In everyday Japanese, ガマ is the most widely understood term for this plant. The kanji 蒲 is also used but may be less familiar to some speakers.