noun
Selaginella tamariscina; spikemoss
A species of spikemoss native to East Asia, often used in traditional medicine and as an ornamental plant. The Japanese name literally means 'rock cypress leaf'.
イワヒバは乾燥に強く、岩場に生えるシダ植物です。
Iwahiwa is a fern ally that grows on rocks and is drought-tolerant.
漢方ではイワヒバを止血に用いることがあります。
In Kampo medicine, iwahiwa is sometimes used to stop bleeding.
The name イワヒバ (岩檜葉) literally means 'rock cypress leaf', referring to its habitat and the resemblance of its leaves to those of the cypress tree. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.