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

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

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

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

Posts 18779 Featured Image Spice Myth Age Of Exploration

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

07.1492.a Broom (Cytisus scoparius) flower

What's the difference between broom and dwarf broom? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Do the flowers "burst" to release pollen onto bees?!

Both *Cytisus scoparius* (Japanese broom) and *Cytisus scoparius* (dwarf broom) belong to the legume family and are classified under the genus *Cytisus* in Japanese classification. They are characterized by their small, trifoliate compound leaves and the yellow, butterfly-shaped flowers they produce in spring. While cultivated for ornamental purposes, *Cytisus scoparius* is sometimes sold under the name "Japanese broom"...

2025.05.23

plant

What are the differences between Solanum nigrum, Solanum sibiricum, Solanum nigrum, and Solanum nigrum? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species!

Black nightshade, large black nightshade, American black nightshade, and glossy black nightshade all belong to the Solanaceae family and Solanum genus. They are very commonly seen in urban areas, and can even be found in green spaces in large cities. They are characterized by their round, black, ripening fruits, but the four species are very similar...

2025.05.15

plant

What's the difference between Lythrum salicaria and Lythrum anceps? We'll explain how to distinguish between these similar species!

Both Lythrum salicaria and Lythrum sibiricum belong to the genus Lythrum in the family Lythraceae, and are perennial herbs commonly found in waterside areas and wetlands. They are often planted in biotopes, and their flower shapes are almost identical, making it difficult for some to distinguish between the two species. However, in addition to the hair-like projections on the entire plant, the shape of the leaves...

2025.05.14

plant

What are the differences between morning glories (Ipomoea nil) and star morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea)? We'll explain how to distinguish between these similar species!

Both Ipomoea purpurea and Ipomoea purpurea belong to the Ipomoea genus of the Convolvulaceae family and are introduced species that have naturalized in Japan. They share the characteristics of small corollas and a star shape when viewed from above. They can be seen in urban areas, but they may be confused with each other. However, there is an easy-to-understand difference in the color of the flowers...

2025.05.13

plant

What are the differences between Japanese walnut, black walnut, dwarf walnut, and Japanese walnut? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Did the hard fruit evolve specifically for squirrels and mice?!

Japanese walnut (Juglans mandshurica), Japanese walnut (Juglans regia), Japanese walnut (Juglans mandshurica), and Japanese walnut (Juglans rhoifolia) all belong to the Juglandaceae family and are deciduous trees characterized by odd-pinnately compound leaves with serrated edges. They grow in Japanese forests, and in the case of Japanese walnut, Japanese walnut, and Japanese walnut, the so-called "walnut nuts" are found inside the false fruits and hard fruits...

2025.05.12

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?

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!

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?

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!?

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?

What's the difference between broom and dwarf broom? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Do the flowers "burst" to release pollen onto bees?!

What are the differences between *Solanum nigrum*, *Solanum sibiricum*, *Solanum nigrum*, and *Solanum nigrum*? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species!

What's the difference between Lythrum salicaria and Lythrum anceps? We'll explain how to distinguish between these similar species!

What are the differences between morning glories (Ipomoea nil) and star morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea)? We'll explain how to distinguish between these similar species!

What are the differences between Japanese walnut, black walnut, dwarf walnut, and Japanese walnut? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Did the hard fruit evolve specifically for squirrels and mice?!

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?

What are the differences between Solanum nigrum, Solanum sibiricum, Solanum nigrum, and Solanum nigrum? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species!