Hosta sieboldii; small-leaved plantain lily
A species of hosta native to Japan, with narrow, lance-shaped leaves and pale purple flowers. The name is usually written in katakana.
Hosta sieboldii is blooming in the corner of the garden.
Hosta sieboldii grows well even in the shade.
ギボウシ is the broader genus Hosta, while コバギボウシ specifically refers to the species Hosta sieboldii with smaller leaves.
Katakana spelling is standard for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare and mainly found in botanical texts; learners will almost always encounter the kana form.
The name コバギボウシ literally means 'small-leaf hosta', from 小葉 (small leaf) and 擬宝珠 (hosta). The derivation of 擬宝珠 itself is uncertain, but it may refer to the shape of the flower buds resembling a traditional ornament.