noun
Smilax glabra; smooth sarsaparilla
Refers to the plant species Smilax glabra, a type of sarsaparilla. In Japanese, the name サンキライ is used for this species.
サンキライは漢方薬の原料として知られている。
Smilax glabra is known as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.
noun
Smilax china; China root
Colloquially, サンキライ can also refer to Smilax china, which is more precisely called 猿捕茨 (さるとりいばら). This usage is less precise but common in everyday contexts.
See also: 猿捕茨
庭にサンキライが生えてきた。
Some Smilax china has started growing in the garden.
The precise botanical name for Smilax china. サンキライ is often used colloquially for this plant, but 猿捕茨 is the standard term.
The name サンキライ is derived from the Chinese name 山帰来 (shān guī lái). The kanji spellings 山帰来 and 山奇量 are ateji.