徒むだ花ばな

noun

non-fruit-bearing flower; blossom that doesn't bear fruit

Refers to a flower that blooms but does not develop into fruit. Often used metaphorically for something that looks promising but yields no result. Compare with あだばな (徒花), which can also mean 'fruitless effort'.

See also: 徒花 (あだばな)

• この桜さくらは徒むだ花ばなで、実みをつけない。

  This cherry tree produces non-fruit-bearing flowers and doesn't bear fruit.

• 彼かれの努ど力りょくは結けっ局きょく徒むだ花ばなに終おわった。

  His efforts ended up being fruitless, like a blossom that never becomes fruit.