石南 (shínán): heath / heather

Meanings

1 heath / heather
2 photinia (ornamental shrub whose flowers are admired and leaves used in medicine)

Characters

石

Examples

山坡上开满了石南花。

Shānpō shàng kāimǎnle shínán huā.

The hillside is covered in heather flowers.

石南叶可以入药。

Shínán yè kěyǐ rùyào.

Photinia leaves can be used as medicine.

Tips

culture

石南 traditionally refers to several ornamental shrubs in the Ericaceae and Rosaceae families — including European heather and the East-Asian photinia. The literal 'stone-south' name comes from the plant's habit of growing on rocky, sun-facing slopes.