noun
false indigo; bastard indigo; leadwort
A deciduous shrub (Amorpha fruticosa) native to North America, often used for erosion control or as an ornamental plant. In Japan it is considered an invasive species.
イタチハギは河川敷でよく見られる外来植物だ。
False indigo is an alien plant often seen on riverbanks.
イタチハギの花は紫色で、初夏に咲く。
The flowers of the false indigo are purple and bloom in early summer.
The Japanese name イタチハギ (鼬萩) literally means 'weasel bush clover', but the exact origin of the name is uncertain. It may refer to the shape of the flower spikes or the plant's invasive, weasel-like spread.