insect

What's the difference between Galinsoga parviflora and Galinsoga stolonifera? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Only hoverflies were visiting the flowers!? The seeds not only travel on the wind, but they also stick to surfaces!?

Both Galinsoga parviflora and Galinsoga stolonifera belong to the genus Galinsoga in the Asteraceae family. Although native to the Americas, they are now extremely common weeds in disturbed areas of Japan. The differences in the shape of their flowers are subtle from a distance, and it may be difficult to distinguish them if you only vaguely remember them. However...

2023.06.22

plant

What are the differences between Verbena bonariensis, Verbena bonariensis, Verbena bonariensis, and Verbena serrata? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! The length of the flower tube attracts different insects! Are the fruits dispersed by gravity?

Verbena bonariensis, Verbena bonariensis, Verbena bonariensis, and Verbena serrata all belong to the genus Verbena in the family Verbenaceae, and are a group within the genus Verbena that have undivided leaves. They generally have a stiff texture, ridged stems, and form dense inflorescences, and are commonly found along roadsides in urban areas...

2023.06.21

plant

What are the differences between Campanula punctata, Campanula punctata, and Campanula punctata? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! What role do "cleistogamous flowers" play? Did the fruit release seeds through holes?

Both Campanula punctata and Campanula punctata are annual plants native to North America, belonging to the Campanulaceae family and Campanula genus. In present-day Japan, they are naturalized species and frequently seen in urban areas. Because they grow in almost the same locations, and both have purple, five-lobed flowers at the top, distinguishing them in the wild can be difficult...

2023.06.18

plant

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #147] What are the species of the family Ophioglossaceae? Photo List

The family Haloragaceae consists of terrestrial or aquatic perennial herbs or shrubs. Leaves are opposite, whorled, or alternate. Flowers are bisexual or unisexual. Stipules are absent. The calyx tube is fused to the ovary, and there are 2-4 petals, or sometimes none. There are 2-8 stamens. The ovary is inferior. The fruit is a nut or drupe...

2022.12.15

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #137] What are the species of Hamamelidaceae? Photo List

The Hamamelidaceae family consists of deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, often covered in stellate hairs. Leaves are alternate, simple or palmate, and petiolate. They have deciduous stipules. Flowers are bisexual or unisexual, radially symmetrical, rarely bilaterally symmetrical, axillary, capitate, or conchoidal...

2022.12.07

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 #126] What are the different types of Nelumbonaceae? Photo List

The Nelumbonaceae family are perennial aquatic plants. It includes the genus Nelumbo, and is the only extant family to include the North American native *Nelumbo lutea* and the widely distributed Asian *Nelumbo nucifera*. There are four fossil species...

2022.11.22

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #111] What are the species of Cyperaceae? Photo List

The Cyperaceae family consists of annual or perennial herbs. Most have solid, triangular stems. The leaves are linear, with the base forming a tubular sheath. Some genera, such as *Erigeron annuus*, *Scirpus juncoides*, *Scutellaria*, and *Cyperus*, have reduced leaf blades, leaving only a sheath...

2022.10.15

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #104] What are the species of the Bromeliaceae family? Photo list

Bromeliaceae are perennial plants. Many have a structure where the bases of their leaves closely overlap, allowing them to store water. However, some species, such as tank bromeliads and the gray-leaved epiphytic plant Tillandsia, can only collect water through a leaf structure called trichomes...

2022.09.29

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #073] What are the species of the Liliaceae family? Photo list

Liliaceae are perennial herbs. They have bulbs or rhizomes. Leaves are alternate, opposite, or whorled, sometimes clustered at the base of the stem. Flowers are solitary at the stem tip or leaf axils, or borne in diverse racemes or umbels. They bear bisexual flowers. The perianth segments are separate, with outer and inner perianth segments...

2022.08.02

Seed Plant Encyclopedia