Seed Plant Encyclopedia 【種子植物図鑑 #007】マツ科の種類は？写真一覧
マツ科 Pinaceae は常緑ときに落葉の高木または低木。葉は針形または線形。花は単性で雌雄同株。雄花は多数の雄しべがらせん状につきます。雌花はらせん状に並んだ多数の鱗片からなります。鱗片は外側の苞鱗と内側の種鱗が組になり、その基部は合着...
Living things
Seed Plant Encyclopedia 
Seed Plant Encyclopedia 【種子植物図鑑 #005】ウェルウィッチア科の種類は？写真一覧
ウェルウィッチア科 Welwitschiaceae はアフリカ南西部で見られる現存種一種のみを含みます。白亜紀前期（中生代）の南米には、ウェルウィッチア科の植物が存在していたことが化石から判明しており、ブラジル北東部のアラリペ盆地にあるアプ...
Seed Plant Encyclopedia [Seed Plant Encyclopedia #004] What are the species of the Ephedra family? Photo list
The Ephedraceae family generally consists of shrubs, sometimes vines, and rarely small trees. It includes only the genus Ephedra. It is distributed across southwestern North America, southern Europe, northern Africa, southwestern and central Asia, northern China, and western South America, and is widely found in arid regions. Temperate regions...
Seed Plant Encyclopedia 【種子植物図鑑 #003】イチョウ科の種類は？写真一覧
イチョウ科 Ginkgoaceae は落葉高木。葉は偏平に広がり、葉脈は葉柄付け根から二叉分岐を繰り返し、平行脈となり上部葉縁に達します。雌雄異株・雄花は細い軸に多数の葯をつけます。雌花は花柄の先に多くは2個の胚珠を上向きにつけます。受精は...
Seed Plant Encyclopedia [Seed Plant Encyclopedia #001] What are the species of the Cycadaceae family? Photo list
The family Cycadaceae is a family of plants belonging to the order Cycadales in the class Cycadae. All extant species are evergreen woody plants. The leaves are pinnately compound, with long, pointed leaflets. Numerous leaves grow at the tip of the stem, with the base remaining on the stem. The family is dioecious, with flowers borne terminally or laterally on the stem. The stamens (microsporophylls) are scale-like...
plant How dangerous is the poison in oleanders? Why are they a symbol of peace in Hiroshima? The oleander flower, which doesn't secrete nectar, mimics an endangered species!?
Oleander is a common ornamental tree found in various locations throughout Japan, such as in parks and as street trees. However, it originally thrives in the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia. While there are various theories, it's said that 5 to 15 leaves are a lethal dose, and although extremely rare, there have been reports of poisoning in Japan. Furthermore, the smoke from burning oleander is also toxic...
animal The mysterious fly known as the bee-like hoverfly, which is born and lives on tree sap, can it sting? Is it harmful?
Are you familiar with the hoverfly known as the false bee hoverfly? At first glance, it looks exactly like a bee, but hoverflies are actually a type of fly, so they won't sting you and are harmless. Its bright colors are thought to be a form of mimicry. Although it's actually a type of hoverfly...
plant What are the differences between persimmon (Diospyros kaki), Japanese persimmon (Diospyros serrata), and mountain persimmon (Diospyros margaritacea)? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Where are they native to? What's the difference between astringent and sweet persimmons? What insects visit the flowers? Who eats them in nature?
The Japanese persimmon (kaki) has been cultivated in Japan since ancient times and is a fruit and plant strongly associated with Japanese culture. While closely related species exist, the Japanese persimmon is easily distinguishable by the size of its fruit. However, when distinguishing by leaves alone, it resembles the Japanese dwarf persimmon (Diospyros kaki), the Ryukyu dwarf persimmon (Diospyros ryukyuensis), and the evergreen persimmon (Diospyros kaki), and subtle differences...
animal What are the species of moths in the family Zygaenidae? Are they poisonous? Are they harmful? What is the purpose of their bright colors?
The Zygae family, exemplified by species like the firefly moth and the bamboo grass moth, is known for its bright, diurnal colors. But do you know why they have such striking colors? It turns out they possess a powerful poison that produces cyanide, and these colors serve as a "warning signal"...
plant What's the difference between mountain azaleas and rhododendrons? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Research has revealed that bumblebees are also essential for flowers that are supposedly specialized in attracting butterflies!
The Japanese azalea (Rhododendron kaempferi) is a representative species of wild azalea in Japan, while the Japanese azalea (Rhododendron molle) is famous for being poisonous. Both belong to the Rhododendron genus of the Ericaceae family and are representative species of red wild azaleas, so you might get them confused. However, you can distinguish them by checking the shape of their leaves and how the flowers are arranged. These two species...