also: ひらぎ
holly olive; false holly
Refers to the plant Osmanthus heterophyllus, a shrub with holly-like leaves. Often used in hedges and as a decorative plant. Not a true holly (Ilex).
I planted a holly olive in the garden.
At Setsubun, people display holly branches to drive away demons.
ヒイラギの葉はとげがある。
Holly olive leaves have spines.
holly (mistranslation)
Common mistranslation for English 'holly' (Ilex). True holly is 西洋柊 (せいようひいらぎ). This sense is included for awareness; avoid using ヒイラギ for Ilex unless context clarifies.
See also: セイヨウヒイラギ
What is used for Christmas decorations is English holly, not holly olive.
spotnape ponyfish
A small marine fish (Leiognathus nuchalis). Also written as 鮗. Not related to the plant.
The spotnape ponyfish is a small fish found in shallow coastal waters.
The kanji 鮗 is normally read このしろ for a different fish, so seeing it does not automatically mean the spotnape ponyfish sense of 柊 (ヒイラギ).
Katakana spelling is common for the plant and fish names; the word is usually written in kana.
Kanji form used especially for the plant; also read ひらぎ in some contexts.
Alternate reading of the kanji 柊, less common.
Hiragana spelling, also common.
Rarely used kanji form.
Rarely used kanji form.
The origin of the word ひいらぎ is uncertain. It may be related to the verb ひいらぐ (to sting), referring to the spiny leaves. The kanji 柊 is a kokuji (Japanese-created character) combining 木 (tree) and 冬 (winter), as it is an evergreen that stands out in winter.