classification

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #066] What are the species of the Melanthiaceae family? Photo list

The family Melanthiaceae consists of perennial herbs. They typically have rhizomes. Leaves are alternate or whorled. Flowers are solitary or borne in racemes or spikes. They can be bisexual or unisexual. The perianth segments are free, typically six in number, although some are reduced...

2022.08.01

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

07.0225.a Amazon Water Chestnut (Scaled upper surface of leaf)

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #045] What are the species of the Hydrocharitaceae family? Photo list

The family Hydrocharitaceae consists of annual or perennial aquatic plants that grow in freshwater or saltwater. Their morphology is extremely diverse. The base of the leaves often forms a leaf sheath, containing 2 to 10 or more small scales. They are monoecious or dioecious, with inflorescences...

2022.07.31

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #028] What are the species of the Magnoliaceae family? Photo list

The Magnoliaceae family consists of evergreen or deciduous woody plants. The leaves are simple and alternate. The perianth segments are separate and whorled, exhibiting triperality. The stamens and pistils are numerous and arranged spirally. Approximately 300 species across two genera are known in the temperate and subtropical regions of Asia and America, with 7 species in one genus found in Japan...

2022.07.27

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #026] What are the species of the Aristolochiaceae family? Photo list

The Aristolochiaceae family consists of perennial herbs or shrubs, some of which are climbing plants. The leaves are alternate and lack stipules. The flowers are generally bisexual, with petals usually reduced, and three petal-like sepals, often fused at their bases into a tubular structure. They are found in tropical regions worldwide...

2022.07.26

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

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

Monoceromyia Pleuralis Male Adult Edited

The mysterious fly known as the bee-like hoverfly, which is born and lives on tree sap, can it sting? Is it harmful?

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 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 kind of dragonfly is a "red dragonfly"? Why does it turn red? Why does the common skimmer dragonfly turn blue? Two scientific reasons have been revealed. It turns out it's actually "sunscreen"!?

The "red dragonfly" is a creature so familiar to Japanese people that it even has its own children's song. The group commonly referred to as "red dragonfly" is a general term for dragonflies whose males turn red. Taxonomically, it's not a single group but rather a collective term for several separate groups, such as the Sympetrum and Scarlet Skimmer genera.

2022.06.17

animal

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