noun
Japanese snowbell; Styrax japonica
A deciduous tree native to Japan, known for its white bell-shaped flowers in late spring. The name エゴノキ comes from the saponin-containing fruit that was used as a soap substitute (egosaponin).
庭にエゴノキを植えたら、春に白い花がたくさん咲いた。
When I planted a Japanese snowbell in the garden, it bloomed with many white flowers in spring.
エゴノキの実にはサポニンが含まれていて、昔は石けんの代わりに使われた。
The fruit of the Japanese snowbell contains saponin and was used as a soap substitute in the past.
The name エゴノキ is derived from えご (ego), referring to the saponin-rich fruit that produces a soapy lather, and 木 (ki, 'tree'). The kanji 野茉莉 is an ateji assignment based on Chinese characters for a similar plant.