リュウキュウコウガイ

Meanings

Kandelia obovata (mangrove species)

usually written using kana alone

A species of mangrove native to East Asia, including the Ryukyu Islands. The name is a taxonomic designation; in everyday contexts, it may simply be referred to as a type of マングローブ.

Kanji

琉precious stone, gem, lapis lazuli
球ball, sphere
笄hairpin, crossbar of anchor, metal rod on sheath

Related words

メヒルギ
メヒルギ is another mangrove species (Kandelia candel) that is closely related and sometimes confused with リュウキュウコウガイ. リュウキュウコウガイ was once considered a variety of メヒルギ but is now treated as a separate species.

Written forms

琉球笄
- リュウキュウコウガイ
  Kanji spelling is rare and may not be widely recognized; it but marks the word is listed as usually written in kana.
- リュウキュウ・コウガイ
リュウキュウ・コウガイ

Etymology

The name combines 琉球 (Ryukyu) with 笄 (kōgai, a traditional hairpin), likely referring to the shape of the propagule. The exact origin of the common name is uncertain.