September 2023 | Ecological Notes Web

What are the differences between Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), large-leaved maple (Acer palmatum), mountain maple (Acer japonicum), fan maple (Acer japonicum), and small fan maple (Acer japonicum)? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Japanese maple, large-leaved maple, mountain maple, fan maple, and small fan maple all belong to the Acer genus of the Sapindaceae family. They change color and shed their leaves in late autumn, making them representative deciduous trees of the Japanese autumn landscape. Their distinguishing features include samaras (winged fruits) with a pair of "wings" and palmate leaves...

2023.09.29

plant

イノコヅチとヒナタイノコヅチの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説

イノコヅチ（ヒカゲイノコヅチ）とヒナタイノコヅチはいずれもヒユ科イノコヅチ属に含まれ、日本ではかなり一般的な多年草です。ヒトとの関わりの中で最も大きな特徴は果実が「引っ付き虫」であるということでしょう。林縁を歩いていると衣服引っかかって大変...

2023.09.28

plant

What are the differences between Lycoris radiata (Red Spider Lily), Lycoris radiata var. alba, Lycoris radiata var. alba, and Lycoris radiata var. alba? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Lycoris radiata (red spider lily), Lycoris radiata var. alba, Lycoris radiata var. alba, and Lycoris aurea are all perennial plants belonging to the Lycoris genus of the Amaryllidaceae family. They are very familiar to Japanese people due to their toxicity and the clusters of flowers they produce in autumn. However, there are many varieties...

2023.09.24

plant

What are the differences between ragweed and giant ragweed? What are the differences between goldenrod, goldenrod, and hawkweed? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species.

Ragweed and giant ragweed are both annual weeds belonging to the genus Ragweed in the Asteraceae family, and are best known for causing "ragweed pollen allergy" in humans. This is because ragweed flowers are wind-pollinated, and to achieve this, the male and female flower heads are elongated...

2023.09.22

plant

オケラ（白朮）・ホソバオケラ（蒼朮）・コウヤボウキの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説

オケラ（白朮）とホソバオケラ（蒼朮）はいずれもキク科オケラ属の多年草で、薬草としても有名で、根茎を乾燥させた生薬は「朮」と総称されます。形態としては葉は鋸歯が目立ち、花はキク科らしく頭状花序（頭花）となり、筒状花のみから構成される点は大きな...

2023.09.17

plant

What are the differences between Japanese anemone and aster? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Were you mostly misidentifying Japanese anemones?

Japanese anemone (Anemone hupehensis), Taiwanese anemone, and button-leaved.

2023.09.10

plant

センニンソウ・ボタンヅル・コボタンヅルの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説

センニンソウ・ボタンヅル・コボタンヅルはいずれもキンポウゲ科センニンソウ属に含まれ、日本の林内で見られるつる性半低木です。複葉である点、花は花弁がなく白色の萼片である点、果実に羽毛の構造がある点などは大きな共通点で、区別に迷うことがあるかも...

2023.09.08

plant

What are the differences between Datura, Datura stramonium, Datura stramonium, and Datura arborescens? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Datura stramonium, Datura stramonium, and Datura arborescens all belong to the Solanaceae family and are cultivated as ornamental plants, as well as being well-known as poisonous and medicinal plants. They are also collectively called "Datura" or "Datura" from their genus name. However, these...

2023.09.05

plant