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What are the differences between Koyabouki, Nagabano Koyabouki, and Kashiwaba Haguma? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

*Aster tataricus*, *Aster tataricus*, and *Aster savatieri* all belong to the genus *Aster* in the Asteraceae family. A key distinguishing feature within the vast Asteraceae family is that the central tubular florets of the flower head have a two-lipped corolla. They are commonly found in forests. However, the flower heads of the three species are similar...

2026.07.17

plant

What are the differences between Lindernia procumbens, Lindernia dubia, and Lindernia ovata? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Lindernia procumbens, Lindernia maritima, and Lindernia maximowiczii all belong to the Linderniaceae family. They are small, annual herbs characterized by opposite leaves and small, lip-shaped flowers in the leaf axils. While quite inconspicuous, their flowers are very similar, making them easily confused. These three species differ in their habitat, leaves, and flowers...

2026.07.16

plant

What are the differences between Japanese pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana var. japonica), and round pokeweed (Phytolacca americana var. japonica)? How do they differ from burdock (Phytolacca americana)? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Even though it's highly poisonous to humans, birds are unaffected!?

Japanese pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), American pokeweed (Phytolacca oleracea), and round pokeweed (Phytolacca oleracea) all belong to the Phytolaccaceae family and genus Phytolacca. Their names come from the fact that their fleshy, thick roots resemble those of burdock (Philadelphia arvensis), and they are characterized by their entirely poisonous nature and dark purple berries. However, the three species are often confused...

2026.07.11

plant

Posts 24088 Featured Image Salmon Red Color Evolution Antioxidant

Why are salmon flesh and salmon roe red (pink)? A scientific explanation of the surprising evolutionary reasons and antioxidant properties!

It's common knowledge that salmon sashimi (meat), fillets, and salmon roe are red or salmon pink. Whether you're at a sushi restaurant, playing Salmon Run in the game Splatoon, or seeing Sanrio's KIRIMI-chan, you accept it without question...

2026.06.18

animal

What are the differences between mugwort, wormwood (Artemisia princeps), bitter wormwood, and male wormwood? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Did you know that mugwort is used not only in rice cakes but also in moxibustion and medicine?

Artemisia princeps, Artemisia japonica, Artemisia urticaria, and Artemisia japonica are all members of the Artemisia genus in the Asteraceae family, and are extremely common perennial herbs that dominate small vacant lots from urban areas to mountainous fields. In addition to having a cottony, fluffy underside to its leaves, it belongs to the Asteraceae family...

2026.04.10

plant

What are the differences between Linaria japonica, Linaria cantoniensis, and Linaria thunbergii? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Despite their showy flowers, they are entirely self-pollinating!?

*Linaria japonica*, *Linaria cantoniensis*, and *Linaria thunbergii* all belong to the Plantaginaceae family and are herbaceous plants that bear cute, blue-colored "lip-shaped flowers" (flowers with separate upper and lower lips) with a swollen center on the lower lip. Although they are introduced species, they are frequently seen in urban areas, but their flowers...

2026.03.30

plant

07.1157 Akebia trifoliata (female flower)

What are the differences between Akebia, Akebia trifoliata, Akebia quinata, and Stauntonia hexaphylla? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Are the large female flowers a way to deceive insects? Who eats the fruit in the wild?

Akebia, Akebia trifoliata, Akebia quinata, and Stauntonia hexaphylla all belong to the Akebia family. They are climbing plants with palmately compound leaves, and a key characteristic is that male and female flowers bloom separately. Akebia and Akebia trifoliata, in particular, are famous for the edible white, gelatinous pulp inside their opened fruits. For many, it's a taste of the countryside from their childhood...

2026.03.24

plant

What are the differences between Hydrocotyle japonica, Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, Hydrocotyle japonica, and Hydrocotyle maximowiczii? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! What insects visit these tiny flowers?

Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, Hydrocotyle japonica, Hydrocotyle kobus, and Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides all belong to the genus Hydrocotyle in the family Araliaceae. These perennial herbs creep along the ground in slightly shaded areas of forests and other woodlands, and are notable for their small, nearly orbicular simple leaves. However, their flowers and fruits are small and inconspicuous...

2026.03.20

plant

What are the differences between Japanese yam (Dioscorea japonica), Chinese yam (Dioscorea japonica), Japanese yam (Dioscorea tokoro), and bitter yam (Dioscorea japonica)? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Why do they produce bulbils? Their reproductive strategies were diverse!

Japanese yam (Dioscorea japonica), Chinese yam (Dioscorea longa), Japanese yam (Dioscorea tokoro), and bitter yam (Dioscorea japonica) all belong to the genus Dioscorea in the family Dioscoreaceae. They produce edible tubers and bulbils, and are very common climbing perennial plants often seen in urban areas. The genus Dioscorea, also known as yam, is a group that includes a vast number of species...

2026.03.18

plant

What are the differences between white magnolia, kobushi magnolia, star magnolia, and tamushiba magnolia? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Is it a myth that their flowers are primitive? What is the purpose of their conspicuous red seeds?

White magnolia, kobushi magnolia, star magnolia, and tamushiba all belong to the Magnolia genus of the Magnoliaceae family. Being deciduous trees, they shed their leaves in winter, and around April, like cherry blossoms, they produce large, white, polypetalous flowers—one per branch—before the leaves appear. A key characteristic of these trees is...

2026.03.10

plant

What are the differences between *Koyabouki*, *Nagabano Koyabouki*, and *Kashiwaba Haguma*? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

What are the differences between *Lindernia procumbens*, *Lindernia dubia*, and *Lindernia ovata*? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Why are salmon flesh and salmon roe red (pink)? A scientific explanation of the surprising evolutionary reasons and antioxidant properties!

What are the differences between mugwort, wormwood (Artemisia princeps), bitter wormwood, and male wormwood? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Did you know that mugwort is used not only in rice cakes but also in moxibustion and medicine?

What are the differences between *Linaria japonica*, *Linaria cantoniensis*, and *Linaria thunbergii*? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Despite their showy flowers, they are entirely self-pollinating!?

What are the differences between Akebia, Akebia trifoliata, Akebia quinata, and Stauntonia hexaphylla? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Are the large female flowers a way to deceive insects? Who eats the fruit in the wild?

What are the differences between *Hydrocotyle japonica*, *Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides*, *Hydrocotyle japonica*, and *Hydrocotyle maximowiczii*? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! What insects visit these tiny flowers?

What are the differences between Japanese yam (Dioscorea japonica), Chinese yam (Dioscorea japonica), Japanese yam (Dioscorea tokoro), and bitter yam (Dioscorea japonica)? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Why do they produce bulbils? Their reproductive strategies were diverse!

What are the differences between white magnolia, kobushi magnolia, star magnolia, and tamushiba magnolia? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Is it a myth that their flowers are primitive? What is the purpose of their conspicuous red seeds?

What are the differences between Koyabouki, Nagabano Koyabouki, and Kashiwaba Haguma? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

What are the differences between Lindernia procumbens, Lindernia dubia, and Lindernia ovata? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

What are the differences between Linaria japonica, Linaria cantoniensis, and Linaria thunbergii? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Despite their showy flowers, they are entirely self-pollinating!?

What are the differences between Hydrocotyle japonica, Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, Hydrocotyle japonica, and Hydrocotyle maximowiczii? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! What insects visit these tiny flowers?