japonica

明日の卓球の試合に備えて朝練をして帰ってきたところです。さて、O. Henryの短編 "Telemachus, Friend" にあった単語です。
'Why, yes,' says I, 'I read it between the lines, though you only spoke one. And I suppose you are aware,' says I, 'that I have a movement on foot that leads up to the widow's changing her name to Hicks, and leaves you writing to the society column to inquire whether the best man wears a japonica or seamless socks at the wedding!'
"japonica" は "wear" するものですが何でしょう？　和服のはずはないし。
・OneLook Quick Definitions: deciduous thorny shrub native to Japan having red blossoms　
・Dictionary.com: the camellia, Camellia japonica, having waxy flowers in a variety of colors.
・American Herritage Dictionary: An ornamental shrub (Chaenomeles japonica) that is native to Japan and cultivated for its red flowers.
椿というとオペラ、椿姫を連想するのですが、英語で "japonica" と言うと日本を連想せざるを得ないですね。