noun
Japanese ternstroemia; cleyera
An evergreen tree native to Japan, often used in gardens and for hedges. The scientific name is Ternstroemia gymnanthera.
庭にモッコクを植えた。
I planted a Japanese ternstroemia in the garden.
モッコクは生け垣によく使われる。
Japanese ternstroemia is often used for hedges.
The origin of the name もっこく is uncertain. The kanji 木斛 literally mean 'tree' and a type of vessel, but the connection to the plant is unclear.