1.
mistletoe; parasitic plant that grows on trees
A semi-parasitic evergreen plant that grows attached to the branches of host trees, drawing water and nutrients from them.
木の枝に宿木がついている。
There's mistletoe growing on the tree branches.
冬になると葉が落ちた木に宿木が目立つ。
In winter, mistletoe stands out on bare trees.
西洋ではクリスマスに宿木の下でキスをする風習がある。
In Western culture, there is a tradition of kissing under the mistletoe at Christmas.
The word comes from 宿 (lodging) + 木 (tree), literally "a tree that lodges on another tree." Also written as 寄生木. In Japanese culture, 宿木 is also known as a chapter title in The Tale of Genji (源氏物語), one of the later chapters.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 宿木がつく: mistletoe attaches to (a tree)
- 宿木の実: mistletoe berries
- 宿木の下: under the mistletoe
BOTANICAL NOTE:
Mistletoe is a semi-parasite (半寄生) — it has green leaves and can photosynthesize, but it also draws water and minerals from the host tree through specialized roots.