also: ゆすのき · ひょんのき
Distylium racemosum; isu tree
An evergreen tree native to Japan and East Asia, known for its hard wood and insect-induced galls. The name 蚊母樹 literally means 'mosquito-mother tree' because the galls were thought to harbor mosquitoes.
The isu tree is an evergreen tall tree that grows naturally in mountainous areas of warm regions.
The wood of the isu tree is extremely hard and is used for furniture and tools.
柞 (いす) is a shorter alternate name for the same tree, but 蚊母樹 (いすのき) is more specific and common.
Standard kanji spelling for this tree species.
Alternate kanji form; less common than 蚊母樹.
Katakana spelling often used in botanical contexts.
Alternate reading variant in katakana.
Alternate reading variant in katakana.
The name 蚊母樹 (literally 'mosquito-mother tree') comes from the observation that galls formed by insects on the tree were thought to breed mosquitoes. The reading いすのき is of uncertain origin, possibly from an ancient name for the tree.