also: ごか
noun
fiveleaf aralia; Acanthopanax sieboldianus
A deciduous shrub native to East Asia, often used in hedges and traditional medicine. Young leaves are edible.
庭のウコギが新芽を出した。
The fiveleaf aralia in the garden has put out new shoots.
ウコギの若葉は天ぷらにすると美味しい。
Young leaves of fiveleaf aralia are delicious when made into tempura.
Alternate kanji spelling; rarely used.
Alternate reading ごか for the kanji form 五加木; not commonly used.
Kanji spelling; rarely used in practice.
Alternate reading ごか for the kanji form 五加; not commonly used.
The name ウコギ (うこぎ) is of native Japanese origin, referring to the plant's historical use. The kanji 五加 literally mean 'five add', possibly from the five-leaflet arrangement, but the exact derivation is uncertain.