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
A hedge of Japanese privet surrounds the garden.
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.
Usually written in katakana; usually written in kana.
Rare kanji spelling; 蝋 means 'wax', referring to the wax obtained from the plant.
Hiragana spelling, also common.
Rare kanji spelling; the characters mean 'wart' and 'remove', reflecting a traditional use.
Rare variant of 水蝋 using the older form 蠟 for 'wax'.
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.