fallen leaves

What are the differences between wisteria, mountain wisteria, and summer wisteria? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Why is it so beloved by the Japanese? Were the flowers originally for bumblebees? Do wisteria pods pop and scatter?

Wisteria floribunda, mountain wisteria, and summer wisteria remain popular legumes, so much so that trellises are still provided for them. However, distinguishing between the three species can be difficult until you become familiar with them. Examining their flowering period and the direction in which their vines twine is crucial for identification. Wisteria has a long history, and is even mentioned in the oldest document in Japan, the "Kojiki," which dates back to the Nara period...

2021.09.22

plant

What are the differences between wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) and wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox var. japonica)? Is it poisonous? Is there a reason why wintersweet flowers bloom in the middle of winter? The wintersweet's minority strategy!

Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) is native to China and is used as a garden tree in Japan. Although not widely known, its seeds and leaves are poisonous, so caution is necessary. Wintersweet and Chimonanthus praecox can be distinguished by the color of their flowers. Wintersweet blooms in the middle of winter, when other plants are not in bloom...

2021.09.21

plant

What's the difference between Japanese knotweed (Cayratia japonica) and wild grape (Vitis coignetiae)? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Why are they exterminated? Are they actually edible? Were the wasps that visit the saucer-shaped flowers hired as bodyguards?!

Japanese knotweed (Cayratia japonica) and wild grape (Vitis coignetiae) are among the most common climbing plants in the grape family. While they belong to the same family and are both climbing plants, they can be easily distinguished by the shape of their leaves and flowers. Japanese knotweed is a target for eradication due to its strong reproductive capacity, impact on the landscape, and its ability to attract bees...

2021.09.21

plant

What are the differences between Hibiscus mutabilis (Fuyou) and Hibiscus sakishimaensis? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Do slight differences in flower shape affect pollination strategies?

Both Hibiscus mutabilis and Hibiscus sakishimaensis belong to the Hibiscus genus of the Malvaceae family. They produce large, beautiful flowers, and when naturalized, they both grow in disturbed locations, making them difficult to distinguish. The difference can be achieved by carefully observing the leaves and stellate hairs. There are also slight differences in flowering period and flower color. Flowers...

2021.09.21

plant

What are the differences between Lespedeza bicolor and Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust)? We'll explain how to distinguish between these similar species! Why are they considered invasive species of concern? The two species have contrasting flowers and fruits!

Black locust and black locust are both members of the legume family, have odd-pinnately compound leaves composed of numerous leaflets, and are often confused with each other because they are used for greening and naturalize in similar environments. In Japan, both are classified as invasive alien species (formerly designated as species requiring caution) due to their potential to cause damage to ecosystems. The difference between these two species is the presence or absence of thorns...

2021.09.16

plant

What are the differences between Spiraea thunbergii and Prunus serrulata? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Is the claim that they're related to Sen no Rikyu a myth? What role do the green parts of the flowers play?

Spiraea thunbergii and Prunus serrulata are native to China, and Spiraea thunbergii in particular is commonly cultivated in tea gardens and ordinary gardens in Japan. Prunus serrulata is also cultivated, though less frequently. These two species can be reliably distinguished by the serrations on their leaves, and they can also be distinguished by their flowers...

2021.09.15

plant

An example of nesting in decaying wood by the Japanese long-legged ant (Paper published in 'Ecological Notes')

This article contains the full text of "Examples of Nesting in Decaying Wood by *Polygonum cuspidatum*", which was published in the following magazine. For those wishing to purchase the printed or PDF version, please use the link below. Please report any errors in identification or information so that we can correct them in subsequent issues. (function(b,c,...

2021.02.26

animal

Reporting on the first domestic record of the Asian mantis wasp in Nara Prefecture! (Paper published in 'Nature Study')

This article contains a draft of the report "First Record of Asian Carpenter Wasp in Nara Prefecture," which was published in the following journal. Citation: Kenichi Ikeda, Takuo Sawabata, and Toshiharu Mita. 2020. First Record of Asian Carpenter Wasp in Nara Prefecture. Nature Study 66(8): 4....

2020.08.10

animal