Sophora flavescens; shrubby sophora
A shrub native to East Asia, used in traditional Chinese medicine. The name クララ is the standard Japanese common name.
The root of Sophora flavescens is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Used to count 苦参 (Kurara / Sophora flavescens) plants as individual specimens.
The plant name is usually written in katakana.
Kanji form used in botanical or traditional contexts; rarely encountered in everyday writing.
Alternate kanji form, also rare; the katakana spelling is strongly preferred.
The Japanese name クララ is said to derive from the plant's bitter taste, which makes one 'dizzy' (クラクラする). The kanji 苦参 literally means 'bitter ginseng'.