Themeda triandra var. japonica; kangaroo grass variety
A specific variety of kangaroo grass native to Japan. Botanical term; often written in kana.
See also: メガルカヤ
Karukaya is a plant of the grass family.
Cymbopogon tortilis var. goeringii; lemongrass relative
A variety of grass closely related to lemongrass. Botanical term; often written in kana.
See also: オガルカヤ
Okarukaya is also a type of karukaya.
thatching grass; thatching sedge
General term for grasses or sedges used in thatching. This broader sense is less common than the specific botanical senses.
In the past, karukaya was used as roofing material.
Refers specifically to Themeda triandra var. japonica (sense 1), contrasting with 雄刈萱.
Refers specifically to Cymbopogon tortilis var. goeringii (sense 2), contrasting with 雌刈萱.
It is usually written in kana; this hiragana spelling is the most common written form.
Kanji spelling using 萱 (kaya, 'grass used for thatching'). Rare in modern usage.
Katakana spelling, sometimes used in botanical contexts or for emphasis.
Kanji spelling using 茅 (kaya, 'miscanthus reed'). Rare in modern usage.
Kanji spelling using 草 (kusa, 'grass'). Rare in modern usage.
Compound of 刈る (karu, 'to cut, mow') + 萱 (kaya, 'grass used for thatching'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word originally referred to grasses cut for thatching.