Smoke tree is a tree that is distributed all over the world, but since it came to also Japan in the Meiji era and it produces unique and impressive flowers, it has rapidly spread as a garden tree in recent years. The name is also universal. In also Japan, it is called “Kemuri-no-ki (smoke tree)”, but I propose calling it “cotton candy tree”. Cotton candy is a traditional sugar candy that is indispensable for summer festivals. This cotton candy, which was actually born in the United States, became very popular at the St. Louis Expo and sold like wildfire despite the fact that it’s half the entry fee, 25 cents. It soon spread all over the world, and Japan. I have a dream to call it “cotton candy tree” rather than “smoke tree”.

スモークツリーは世界中に分布する木ですが、日本へは明治時代に渡来し、ユニークで印象的な花を咲かせることから、近年庭木として急速に普及しています。名前も世界共通。日本でも「煙の木」とも呼んでいますが、「綿菓子の木」と呼んだ方がぴったしです。綿菓子は夏の縁日には欠かせない伝統的な砂糖菓子です。この綿菓子、実はアメリカ生まれで、セントルイス博覧会で大人気を博し、入場料の半分の25セントにも関わらず飛ぶように売れたそうです。直ぐに日本をはじめ世界中に広がりました。「煙の木」よりも「綿菓子の木」の方が夢がありますよね。