also: みずにら
Japanese quillwort
A species of aquatic plant (Isoetes japonica) native to Japan. The name is usually written in kana.
The Japanese quillwort is a type of fern that grows in rice paddies and wetlands.
Katakana spelling is common for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Hiragana spelling, also acceptable.
Kanji form is rare; the plant is usually written in kana.
The name ミズニラ (水韮) literally means 'water leek', referring to its resemblance to leeks and its aquatic habitat. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.