Zehneria japonica; Japanese wild gourd
A small wild gourd native to Japan and East Asia, producing tiny melon-like fruits. The name literally means 'sparrow gourd'.
In autumn, the small fruits of the Zehneria japonica turn red.
Katakana spelling is standard for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Kanji form is rare and may not be widely recognized; the plant is normally written in kana.
The name スズメウリ (雀瓜) literally means 'sparrow gourd', likely referring to the small size of its fruits. The exact origin of the name is uncertain.