also: こめつが
noun
northern Japanese hemlock; Tsuga diversifolia
A species of hemlock native to Japan. Botanical term; in everyday contexts, often simply called ツガ.
コメツガは日本の高山に自生する針葉樹です。
The northern Japanese hemlock is a conifer that grows naturally in the alpine regions of Japan.
ツガ is the general term for hemlock (Tsuga sieboldii), while コメツガ specifically refers to the northern Japanese hemlock (Tsuga diversifolia).
The name コメツガ likely derives from 米 (こめ, 'rice') + ツガ ('hemlock'), possibly referring to the small, rice-like appearance of its cones or leaves. The exact origin is uncertain.