noun
wild udo; mountain udo
Refers to the wild form of ウド (Aralia cordata), a perennial plant whose young shoots are eaten as a spring vegetable. Often contrasted with cultivated udo.
See also: ウド
春になると山独活の若芽を摘みに行く。
In spring, we go to pick young shoots of wild udo.
山独活は栽培種より香りが強い。
Wild udo has a stronger aroma than the cultivated variety.
ウド is the general term for udo (Aralia cordata), including both wild and cultivated varieties. 山独活 specifically refers to the wild mountain form.
Compound of 山 (yama, 'mountain') and 独活 (udo, 'udo plant'), referring to the wild variety found in mountainous areas.