Gleichenia japonica; urajiro fern
A species of fern with distinctive white undersides of the leaves; often used in traditional New Year decorations.
Urajiro ferns are often used in New Year decorations.
white underside; white bottom
Original literal meaning; now mostly encountered in the plant name or in historical contexts.
The kanji 裏白 literally mean 'white underside'.
Katakana spelling is common for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling; literally 'white back', but rarely used in practice.
Hiragana spelling, also used.
From 裏 (ura, 'back') + 白 (shiro, 'white'), referring to the white underside of the fern's leaves.