Asteraceae

Monoceromyia Pleuralis Male Adult Edited

Do the bee-like hoverflies sting? An explanation of the mysterious life cycle and potential harm of this fly that feeds on tree sap.

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...

2022.07.06

animal

What are the differences between sunflowers, dwarf sunflowers, and white sunflowers? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar varieties! Is it a myth that sunflowers face the sun? Why are they the national flowers of Russia and Ukraine?

Sunflowers are said to face the sun, giving them a cheerful and bright image, and they are now very familiar plants in Japan. Originally from North America, there are many species, but the types of sunflowers found in Japan are limited, mostly consisting of the common sunflower, dwarf sunflower, and dusty sunflower. Humans and sunflowers...

2022.05.10

plant

Chelidonium Majus Subsp Asiaticum Flower

What are the differences between Greater Celandine and Japanese Kerria? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Are they poisonous? Why do Greater Celandine flowers bloom at an angle?

Both *Chelidonium majus* and *Cornus kousa* are wild species of the poppy family, composed of four yellow petals, so it can be difficult to distinguish between them. Their leaves can be differentiated by the presence or absence of serrations on the leaflets, and their flowers are almost identical, but there are differences in the arrangement of the inflorescence and the shape of the stamens and pistils...

2022.02.08

plant

What are the differences between Gnaphalium uliginosum, Gnaphalium affine, Gnaphalium erythrorhizon, and Gnaphalium affine? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! What are the newly named Gnaphalium uliginosum and Gnaphalium purpurea?

Gnaphalium affine, Gnaphalium affine, Gnaphalium erythrorhizon, and Gnaphalium uliginosum are perennial herbs that can be seen in many urban areas these days, but they were only confirmed in Japan during the Showa era. All of them share the common features of having spike-like inflorescences with leaf-like bracts attached to various points on the spike, making them difficult to distinguish without careful observation...

2021.09.21

plant

What are the differences between sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus), prickly sow thistle, autumn sow thistle, and narrow-leaved autumn sow thistle? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus), prickly sow thistle, autumn sow thistle, and narrow-leaved autumn sow thistle all belong to the Asteraceae family and are very commonly observed even in urban areas of Japan. Although their names are very similar, sow thistle and prickly sow thistle belong to completely different genera from autumn sow thistle and narrow-leaved autumn sow thistle. Therefore...

2021.09.20

plant

What are the differences between Cirsium japonicum, Cirsium nipponicum, and Cirsium nipponicum? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Did the flowers release pollen in response to touch?

Thistle (Cirsium japonicum), field thistle (Cirsium nipponicum), and American thistle (Cirsium nipponicum) all belong to the genus Cirsium, and these three species are representative of those found in populated and urban areas. All three have reddish-purple flowers, and their leaves differ in shape between basal and stem leaves, and they are very thorny. The genus Cirsium is extremely diverse in Japan, and accurate identification...

2021.09.15

plant