Living things

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plant

What are the differences between mugwort, wormwood (Artemisia princeps), bitter wormwood, and male wormwood? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Did you know that mugwort is used not only in rice cakes but also in moxibustion and medicine?

Artemisia princeps, Artemisia japonica, Artemisia urticaria, and Artemisia japonica are all members of the Artemisia genus in the Asteraceae family, and are extremely common perennial herbs that dominate small vacant lots from urban areas to mountainous fields. In addition to having a cottony, fluffy underside to its leaves, it belongs to the Asteraceae family...
2026.04.10
plant
plant

What are the differences between *Linaria japonica*, *Linaria cantoniensis*, and *Linaria thunbergii*? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Despite their showy flowers, they are entirely self-pollinating!?

*Linaria japonica*, *Linaria cantoniensis*, and *Linaria thunbergii* all belong to the Plantaginaceae family and are herbaceous plants that bear cute, blue-colored "lip-shaped flowers" (flowers with separate upper and lower lips) with a swollen center on the lower lip. Although they are introduced species, they are frequently seen in urban areas, but their flowers...
2026.03.30
plant
plant

What are the differences between Akebia, Akebia trifoliata, Akebia quinata, and Stauntonia hexaphylla? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Are the large female flowers a way to deceive insects? Who eats the fruit in the wild?

Akebia, Akebia trifoliata, Akebia quinata, and Stauntonia hexaphylla all belong to the Akebia family. They are climbing plants with palmately compound leaves, and a key characteristic is that male and female flowers bloom separately. Akebia and Akebia trifoliata, in particular, are famous for the edible white, gelatinous pulp inside their opened fruits. For many, it's a taste of the countryside from their childhood...
2026.03.24
plant
plant

What are the differences between *Hydrocotyle japonica*, *Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides*, *Hydrocotyle japonica*, and *Hydrocotyle maximowiczii*? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! What insects visit these tiny flowers?

Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, Hydrocotyle japonica, Hydrocotyle kobus, and Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides all belong to the genus Hydrocotyle in the family Araliaceae. These perennial herbs creep along the ground in slightly shaded areas of forests and other woodlands, and are notable for their small, nearly orbicular simple leaves. However, their flowers and fruits are small and inconspicuous...
2026.03.20
plant
plant

What are the differences between Japanese yam (Dioscorea japonica), Chinese yam (Dioscorea japonica), Japanese yam (Dioscorea tokoro), and bitter yam (Dioscorea japonica)? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Why do they produce bulbils? Their reproductive strategies were diverse!

Japanese yam (Dioscorea japonica), Chinese yam (Dioscorea longa), Japanese yam (Dioscorea tokoro), and bitter yam (Dioscorea japonica) all belong to the genus Dioscorea in the family Dioscoreaceae. They produce edible tubers and bulbils, and are very common climbing perennial plants often seen in urban areas. The genus Dioscorea, also known as yam, is a group that includes a vast number of species...
2026.03.18
plant
plant

What are the differences between white magnolia, kobushi magnolia, star magnolia, and tamushiba magnolia? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Is it a myth that their flowers are primitive? What is the purpose of their conspicuous red seeds?

White magnolia, kobushi magnolia, star magnolia, and tamushiba all belong to the Magnolia genus of the Magnoliaceae family. Being deciduous trees, they shed their leaves in winter, and around April, like cherry blossoms, they produce large, white, polypetalous flowers—one per branch—before the leaves appear. A key characteristic of these trees is...
2026.03.10
plant
plant

What are the differences between European pumpkins, Japanese pumpkins, and pepo pumpkins? European pumpkins are eaten in Japan, and Japanese pumpkins are eaten in the West! Were the fruits eaten by extinct animals!?

European pumpkins, Japanese pumpkins, and pepo pumpkins are all annual vining plants belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, Cucurbita genus. Originally from the Americas, they are very popular in Japan, playing an important role in both everyday meals and Halloween celebrations. However, the three species are often confused, and their differences...
2026.03.05
plant
animal

What are the differences between cochineal, lac, and shellac, insects we actually eat every day? Is it true that they are found in large quantities in red foods and lipstick? Are they dangerous? Why are they used?

In Japan, except in some regions, eating insects is extremely rare, and it's safe to say that it's almost unheard of among younger generations, especially in urban areas. While some advocate for insect consumption as a way to prepare for food shortages, cries of "Absolutely not!" are heard, mainly on social media. Even though I work with insects, I still...
2026.02.19
animalhistory
plant

Is it a myth that spices were used during the Age of Discovery to mask the smell of rotten meat? What was the real reason? Is it also a myth that they were used to improve preservation?

I originally have a science background, but I enjoy reading world history content. I came across something interesting in that context. It was the idea that spices (spices excluding stems, leaves, and flowers) don't have much antibacterial properties, and that "spices were used to mask the smell of rotten meat"...
2026.02.13
planthistory
animal

What are the differences, roles, functions, and ways to remember the stomachs of ruminants (tripe, honeycomb tripe, omasum, and abomasum)? Why did rumination evolve?

When you go to a yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) restaurant, you might see four parts of the cow's stomach (fore-stomach) listed as offal: mino, hachinosu, senmai, and giara. Because they have a distinctive taste and are internal organs, people either love them or hate them, but their chewy texture and compatibility with alcohol make them a popular choice...
2026.01.22
animal
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