優う曇どん華げ

noun

udumbara; mythical Indian plant

In Buddhist legend, a plant said to bloom only once every 3000 years, often identified with the cluster fig (Ficus glomerata).

• 仏ぶっ典てんには優う曇どん華げが三さん千ぜん年ねんに一いち度ど咲さくと記きされている。

  Buddhist scriptures record that the udumbara blooms once every 3000 years.

noun

something extremely rare

Metaphorical use derived from the legend; refers to anything that is exceptionally rare or hard to encounter.

• 彼かれの才さい能のうはまさに優う曇どん華げのようなものだ。

  His talent is truly something as rare as the udumbara flower.

noun

Japanese fiber banana flower

Refers to the flower of the Japanese fiber banana (Musa basjoo), also called バショウ. This usage is botanical and less common.

See also: バショウ

• バショウの花はなは優う曇どん華げとも呼よばれる。

  The Japanese fiber banana flower is also called udonge.

noun

green lacewing eggs

The eggs of green lacewings (クサカゲロウ) are sometimes called 優曇華 because of their resemblance to the mythical flower. This is a specialized entomological term.

See also: クサカゲロウ

• クサカゲロウの卵たまごは優う曇どん華げに例たとえられることがある。

  Green lacewing eggs are sometimes likened to udonge.