noun
lesser cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus); mountain cuckoo
Only when written 山杜鵑
Refers specifically to the lesser cuckoo, especially when found in mountainous areas. Cross-referenced with 時鳥 (ほととぎす), the common cuckoo.
See also: 時鳥
山杜鵑は夏鳥として日本に渡来する。
The lesser cuckoo migrates to Japan as a summer bird.
やまほととぎすの鳴き声は、他のカッコウ類と少し違う。
The call of the lesser cuckoo is a little different from other cuckoos.
noun
Tricyrtis macropoda; a species of toad lily
A perennial plant of the lily family, native to Japan. The kanji 山杜鵑草 is used for this plant, but kana is more common.
やまほととぎすは秋に斑点のある花を咲かせる。
Tricyrtis macropoda blooms with spotted flowers in autumn.
山杜鵑草は山地の湿った場所に自生する。
Tricyrtis macropoda grows wild in moist mountainous areas.
Refers to the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) in general, while 山杜鵑 specifies the lesser cuckoo, especially in mountain habitats.
The name combines 山 (mountain) and 杜鵑/時鳥 (cuckoo), literally 'mountain cuckoo'. The plant name likely derives from the spotted flowers resembling the cuckoo's breast pattern.