plant

What's the difference between okra and tororo aoi (flower okra)? How to distinguish between similar species! What are the uses? Bees love the flowers! What happens to unripe okra if left unattended?

Okra and Abelmoschus manihot both belong to the Malvaceae family, and are used by humans due to the viscous nature of parts of their bodies. Morphologically, they share similarities: their leaves are palmate with 3-9 lobes, their flowers have a protruding "column" (a fused structure of stamens and pistils), and their corollas are white...

2023.05.16

plant

What are the differences between gardenias and small gardenias? What are the varieties? How can you distinguish between similar species? What are the uses? Is the sweet scent due to hawk moths? What is the role of the fruit's pigments in nature?

Gardenias are indispensable plants to the Japanese people, both as wild plants, ornamental plants, and food additives. While there is a known variety called *Gardenia jasminoides* (small gardenia), both share similar flower shapes, opposite or whorled leaves, and are evergreen, with glossy leaves, entire margins, and typically pointed tips.

2023.05.14

plant

07.2003 Alnus japonica (Japanese alder) fruit clusters

What are the differences between Alnus japonica, Alnus sieboldiana, and Alnus sieboldiana? How do they differ from other Alnus species? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Why can they grow in poor soil? Did they rely on wind for both their flowers and fruits?

Alnus japonica, Alnus sieboldiana, and Alnus sieboldiana are all species belonging to the Alnus genus of the Betulaceae family and are endemic to Japan. Because they have symbiotic relationships with both ectomycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing actinomycetes that can utilize atmospheric nitrogen, they are well-suited to living in poor soil and are used not only in the wild but also for greening purposes...

2023.05.12

plant

07.2401 Japanese pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum) male flower

What are the differences between Japanese pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum), Chinese pepper (Zanthoxylum sibiricum), and Japanese pepper (Zanthoxylum ailanthoides)? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! What are their uses? What insects visit the flowers? Birds apparently love the seeds because they don't find them spicy!?

Japanese pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum), Japanese sansho, and Japanese sansho are common species in Japan, and Japanese pepper in particular remains an essential ingredient in cooking today. All belong to the genus Zanthoxylum in the Rutaceae family, and are very similar in that they have many thorns all over the plant and odd-pinnately compound leaves consisting of an odd number of leaflets. Japanese pepper has a distinctive aroma...

2023.05.11

plant

What are the differences between autumn olive, summer olive, Chinese olive, and white olive? Can they be eaten raw? Is the "sparkle" on the leaves to prevent drying? What insects visit the flowers? Are the sweet and sour fruits very popular in nature?

Autumn olive, summer olive, Chinese olive, and white olive are all members of the Elaeagnus genus in the Elaeagnaceae family. They can be found in various locations throughout Japan, including rivers, coastlines, and forests. Their leaves are covered in shimmering stellate or scale-like hairs, and they produce pale yellow flowers consisting only of a cylindrical calyx tube, lacking petals.

2023.05.02

plant

What are the differences between Cornus kousa, Cornus florida, and evergreen Cornus kousa? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Various insects visit the flowers, but are there differences in their tendencies? There are two types of fruits: "drupe" and "aggregate fruit"!?

Cornus kousa, Cornus florida, and Cornus kousa var. serrata are three commonly planted trees with flowers featuring distinctive white bracts that resemble petals. Their white bracts are similar, and their leaf shapes are also alike, which can sometimes lead to confusion. However, these three species cannot be distinguished solely by leaf shape and color...

2023.04.05

plant

07.3248 Oleander white flower type flower

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...

2022.07.12

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...

2022.07.02

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...

2022.06.21

plant

What are the differences between buckwheat (soba), Tartary buckwheat (Tartary buckwheat), and Shakuchiri buckwheat (Shakuchiri buckwheat)? We explain how to distinguish between similar varieties! Is buckwheat's origin in mountainous regions? Why do Japanese people eat it as noodles? Are honeybees the only insects that visit its flowers?

Buckwheat, Tartary buckwheat, and Japanese buckwheat are all species that can be found in Japan, either cultivated or naturalized. Buckwheat, in particular, is indispensable to Japanese people as a noodle dish, but few people can distinguish between these three species as plants. These three species differ in the way their flowers grow, the shape of their fruits, etc.

2022.06.14

plant