Living things

What are the differences between Mahonia japonica, Narrow-leaved Mahonia japonica, and Flat-leaved Mahonia japonica? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species!

Mahonia japonica, Narrow-leaved Mahonia japonica, and Flat-leaved Mahonia japonica all belong to the Berberidaceae family, genus Berberis. They have odd-pinnately compound leaves with coarse, needle-like serrations and are frequently cultivated as ornamental plants due to their ease of growth. However, few people may be able to properly distinguish between the three species...

2025.02.20

plant

What are the differences between poppies, common poppies, and long-headed poppies? How do they differ from Icelandic poppies? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Did humans themselves evolve the "Devil Fruit," which has both significant merits and demerits?

Poppies, including the common poppy, thick-flowered poppy, and long-headed poppy, all belong to the genus Papaver in the family Papaveraceae and are collectively known as poppies. They are very popular as ornamental plants due to their beautiful, large single flowers and are widely cultivated. However, despite being poisonous and prone to naturalization, they are difficult to identify...

2025.02.18

plant

What are the differences between white birch (Betula platyphylla), Japanese white birch (Betula ermanii), and Japanese white birch (Betula platyphylla)? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

White birch (Betula platyphylla), Japanese white birch (Betula ermanii), and Japanese white birch (Betula platyphylla) all belong to the Betulaceae family and are common deciduous trees in cold regions and high mountains. They share the characteristic of having straight, parallel lateral veins on their leaves and fine serrations, and have been widely used for various purposes by the Japanese and Ainu people...

2025.01.14

plant

What is the role of the strangely enlarged final legs of the Centipede species? Could they be a secret weapon for aggressively defending against predators?!

The term "female centipedes" refers to a group of centipedes belonging to the genus *Scylla* in the family Scolopendridae, order Scolopendromorpha. These centipedes are burrowing and rarely seen by the average person, but their most striking feature is their strangely enlarged final gait. While there have been various theories regarding the function of this final gait,...

2024.11.26

animal

The Towada mosquito is not only beautiful, but it's also a "mosquito that eats mosquitoes"!? We delve into the mysteries of this mosquito with its unique habitat and everything else about it.

When you think of mosquitoes, you probably imagine blood-sucking insects that are a real nuisance in the summer. However, there's a type of mosquito in Japan that doesn't suck blood at all. The Towada mosquito is harmless as an adult, doesn't suck blood, and is the largest and most beautiful mosquito in Japan...

2024.08.26

animal

The hooked ant is an ant that only eats "insect eggs"!? Unraveling the mystery of its "hook" shaped abdomen!

When you hear the word "ant," you might picture a black insect crawling on the ground. However, there are actually many unknown species of ants living underground, and among them, the Hooked Ants and Pterodactylus ants have a very unique shape with a hook-shaped abdomen. Their appearance is...

2024.08.25

animal

What are the differences between morning glories, round-leaved morning glories, wild morning glories, and American morning glories? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar varieties! The origins of Japanese morning glories are shrouded in mystery!?

Morning glories (Ipomoea nil), round-leaved morning glories, wild morning glories, and American morning glories all belong to the Ipomoea genus of the Convolvulaceae family. Among the varieties with "morning glory" in their name, they are particularly popular for their large corolla diameter (over 3 cm) and are widely cultivated as ornamental plants. While they are very popular, there is considerable individual variation between varieties...

2024.07.10

plant

What are the differences between Barnyard Grass (Paspalum erythrostictum), Striped Barnyard Grass (Paspalum erythrostictum), Upright Barnyard Grass (Paspalum erythrostictum), and American Barnyard Grass (Paspalum erythrostictum)? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Barnyard grass, striped barnyard grass, upright barnyard grass, and American barnyard grass are all perennial grasses belonging to the genus Barnyard grass in the grass family Poaceae, and are commonly found as weeds in a wide range of areas from urban areas to farmlands. Their most distinctive feature is their flat, nearly circular to oval-shaped spikelets...

2024.07.04

plant

What are the differences between Barnyard Grass and Sea Barnyard Grass? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Both Barnyard grass (Barnyard grass) and sea barnyard grass (Barnyard grass) are weeds belonging to the genus Barnyard grass in the family Poaceae. They are unassuming weeds that generally prefer watery areas, but can also be found along roadsides. They are characterized by their conical inflorescences and the awns on their spikelets, but some people may have difficulty distinguishing between the two species...

2024.06.25

plant

What are the differences between Goosegrass, Digitaria sanguinalis, and Digitaria sanguinalis? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Digitaria sanguinalis, Digitaria sanguinalis, and Digitaria sanguinalis are all members of the grass family and are extremely common herbaceous plants and weeds that can be found growing everywhere from urban to rural areas from summer to autumn. Their most significant common feature is that they all produce several racemes, or inflorescences. Their names are similar...

2024.06.21

plant

Living things

What are the differences between Mahonia japonica, Narrow-leaved Mahonia japonica, and Flat-leaved Mahonia japonica? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species!

What are the differences between poppies, common poppies, and long-headed poppies? How do they differ from Icelandic poppies? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Did humans themselves evolve the "Devil Fruit," which has both significant merits and demerits?

What are the differences between white birch (Betula platyphylla), Japanese white birch (Betula ermanii), and Japanese white birch (Betula platyphylla)? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

What is the role of the strangely enlarged final legs of the *Centipede* species? Could they be a secret weapon for aggressively defending against predators?!

The Towada mosquito is not only beautiful, but it's also a "mosquito that eats mosquitoes"!? We delve into the mysteries of this mosquito with its unique habitat and everything else about it.

The hooked ant is an ant that only eats "insect eggs"!? Unraveling the mystery of its "hook" shaped abdomen!

What are the differences between morning glories, round-leaved morning glories, wild morning glories, and American morning glories? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar varieties! The origins of Japanese morning glories are shrouded in mystery!?

What are the differences between Barnyard Grass (Paspalum erythrostictum), Striped Barnyard Grass (Paspalum erythrostictum), Upright Barnyard Grass (Paspalum erythrostictum), and American Barnyard Grass (Paspalum erythrostictum)? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

What are the differences between Barnyard Grass and Sea Barnyard Grass? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

What are the differences between Goosegrass, Digitaria sanguinalis, and Digitaria sanguinalis? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

What is the role of the strangely enlarged final legs of the Centipede species? Could they be a secret weapon for aggressively defending against predators?!