noun
wax-leaf privet; Japanese privet
A species of privet native to Japan and Korea, often used for hedges and as a source of insect wax. The Japanese name イボタ is also used for the wax produced by insects that feed on this tree.
See also: ネズミモチ
イボタの生け垣が庭を囲んでいる。
A hedge of Japanese privet surrounds the garden.
イボタから採れる蝋は、伝統工芸に使われる。
The wax obtained from the privet is used in traditional crafts.
ネズミモチ (Ligustrum japonicum) is a synonym for イボタ, referring to the same plant. イボタ is the more common name in everyday contexts.
The name イボタ is said to derive from 疣 (いぼ, 'wart') and 取る (とる, 'remove'), as the plant was traditionally used to treat warts. The kanji 水蝋 refers to the wax (蝋) obtained from the plant.