noun
Hosta sieboldii; small-leaved plantain lily
A species of hosta native to Japan, with narrow, lance-shaped leaves and pale purple flowers. The name is usually written in katakana.
庭の隅にコバギボウシが咲いている。
Hosta sieboldii is blooming in the corner of the garden.
コバギボウシは日陰でもよく育つ。
Hosta sieboldii grows well even in the shade.
ギボウシ is the broader genus Hosta, while コバギボウシ specifically refers to the species Hosta sieboldii with smaller leaves.
The name コバギボウシ literally means 'small-leaf hosta', from 小葉 (small leaf) and 擬宝珠 (hosta). The derivation of 擬宝珠 itself is uncertain, but it may refer to the shape of the flower buds resembling a traditional ornament.