ウラジロハコヤナギ

Meanings

noun

white poplar; abele

usually written using kana alone

Refers specifically to the tree Populus alba. The cross-reference ギンドロ is a synonym.

Kanji

裏back, amidst, in
白white
箱box, chest, case
柳willow
揚raise, elevate, hoist

Related words

ギンドロ
Synonym for white poplar; ギンドロ is a common Japanese name for the same species.

Built from

ウラジロ+ハコヤナギ

Written forms

うらじろはこやなぎ
Hiragana spelling, also used but less common than katakana for this botanical name.
裏うら白じろ箱はこ柳やなぎ
Kanji spelling; rarely used in practice. Lists it but the word is usually written in kana.
裏白白揚うらじろはこやなぎ
Alternate kanji spelling; even less common. Included for recognition only.

Etymology

The name ウラジロハコヤナギ literally means 'white-backed box willow', from 裏白 (urajiro, 'white underside') + 箱柳 (hakoyanagi, a type of willow). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it describes the tree's distinctive leaves.