herbaceous

What are the differences between periwinkle, climbing periwinkle (Vinca), and dwarf climbing periwinkle? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Periwinkle, climbing periwinkle, and dwarf periwinkle all belong to the Apocynaceae family and are cultivated in Japan for ornamental purposes, frequently seen even in urban areas. They are popular for their interesting features, such as their fused petals with five propeller-shaped lobes at the tip, but their names are similar, especially the climbing periwinkle...

2023.11.02

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

What are the differences between Lantana (Lantana scabrida), Lantana bicolor, and Lippia nodiflora? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! What are the structures of their flowers and fruits?

Lantana (Lantana camtschatica) and Lantana camtschatica var. japonica both belong to the genus Lantana in the family Verbenaceae, and are evergreen shrubs characterized above all by their colorful and showy flowers. In Japan, both are frequently planted and can also be found growing wild. Therefore, it can sometimes be confusing to distinguish between them...

2023.08.11

plant

What are the differences between Geranium thunbergii, Geranium carolinianum, Geranium thunbergii, and Geranium erianthum? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! What are the structures of their flowers and fruits?

Geranium thunbergii, American cranesbill, three-leaved cranesbill, and common cranesbill all belong to the Geranium genus of the Geraniaceae family. Their flowers and leaves are very similar, making identification difficult. More than 18 species have been confirmed in Japan, so it's impossible to introduce them all here, but those found in lowland areas...

2023.08.08

plant

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #155] What are the species of the Polygalaceae family? Photo list

All species of the Polygalaceae family found in Japan are herbaceous. The leaves are simple, alternate, and lack stipules. The flowers are bisexual and bilaterally symmetrical. There are 5 sepals. The petals are 5 in number, partially reduced or fused. There are 4 or 8 stamens, fused at the base. The ovary is superior and 2-chambered. The fruit is a capsule or drupe. [...].

2022.12.25

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #143] What are the species of the Crassulaceae family? Photo list

The Crassulaceae family consists entirely of succulent herbs or shrubs, often with enlarged rhizomes or roots. The leaves are simple. The flowers are radially symmetrical, mostly hermaphroditic, but some genera are unisexual, monoecious, or dioecious. The calyx is somewhat fleshy, green (sometimes reddish)...

2022.12.13

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #142] What are the species of the Saxifragaceae family? Photo list

The family Saxifragaceae consists of herbaceous plants. Leaves are alternate or opposite, simple or compound. Most are deciduous, but some are evergreen. Stipules are present or absent. Inflorescences are cymose, sometimes racemes or panicles. Flowers are bisexual, dioecious, or dioecious, and radially symmetrical...

2022.12.10

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #128] What are the species of the Proteaceae family? Photo list

The Proteaceae family consists entirely of evergreen plants, mostly woody, with some herbaceous. The flowers are bisexual, with a tubular perianth (without distinction between sepals and petals) that is four-lobed at the tip, each bearing a single stamen. The pistil is single, with a superior ovary, and develops into fruits such as nuts. The inflorescence is a raceme or spike...

2022.11.22

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #119] What are the species of the poppy family? Photo list

The Papaveraceae family consists of herbaceous plants whose stems and leaves are often covered in a powdery white substance. Breaking the stem releases a milky white or orange-yellow sap. The leaves are alternate, pinnately lobed or pinnately compound, sometimes simple, and lack stipules. The flowers are bisexual, radially symmetrical, or bilaterally symmetrical. The sepals are 2-4 in number and separate...

2022.10.28

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #117] What are the species of the Ceratophyllum family? Photo list

The family Ceratophyllaceae consists of brittle, hard, freshwater submerged herbs. They lack roots, instead anchoring themselves with modified rhizoids (root systems) formed from branches. Stems are elongated and branched, and leaves are whorled and branch several times. Stipules are absent. The flowers are monoecious or dioecious, with approximately 10 perianth segments (also called involucral bracts), and male...

2022.10.27

Seed Plant Encyclopedia