エゴノキ

noun

Japanese snowbell; Styrax japonica

A deciduous tree native to Japan, known for its white bell-shaped flowers in late spring. The name エゴノキ comes from the saponin-containing fruit that was used as a soap substitute (egosaponin).

• 庭にわにエゴノキを植うえたら、春はるに白しろい花はながたくさん咲さいた。

  When I planted a Japanese snowbell in the garden, it bloomed with many white flowers in spring.

• エゴノキの実みにはサポニンが含ふくまれていて、昔むかしは石せっけんの代かわりに使つかわれた。

  The fruit of the Japanese snowbell contains saponin and was used as a soap substitute in the past.