animal トワダオオカは綺麗なだけでなく「蚊を食べる蚊」だった！？生息環境も何もかも特殊な蚊の謎に迫る
皆さんは蚊といえば、いずれも血を吸う仲間で夏になるととても鬱陶しいと感じる存在かもしれません。しかし、日本には血を全く吸わない蚊が知られています。トワダオオカは成虫では血を吸わず無害で、日本で一番大きくとても美しい見た目をしており、それだけ...
morphology
animal 
animal カギバラアリは「虫の卵」だけを食べる蟻だった！？「鉤」状のお腹の謎に迫る！
皆さんはアリと聴くと「黒くて地表を這い回る虫」というイメージを持つかもしれません。しかし実は地中にはたくさんの知られていないアリの種類が存在し、中でもカギバラアリ類やダルマアリ類は腹部が鉤状になるという極めて特殊な形をしています。見た目が面...
plant What are the differences between morning glories, round-leaved morning glories, wild morning glories, and American morning glories? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar varieties! The origins of Japanese morning glories are shrouded in mystery!?
Morning glories (Ipomoea nil), round-leaved morning glories, wild morning glories, and American morning glories all belong to the Ipomoea genus of the Convolvulaceae family. Among the varieties with "morning glory" in their name, they are particularly popular for their large corolla diameter (over 3 cm) and are widely cultivated as ornamental plants. While they are very popular, there is considerable individual variation between varieties...
plant What are the differences between Barnyard Grass (Paspalum erythrostictum), Striped Barnyard Grass (Paspalum erythrostictum), Upright Barnyard Grass (Paspalum erythrostictum), and American Barnyard Grass (Paspalum erythrostictum)? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.
Barnyard grass, striped barnyard grass, upright barnyard grass, and American barnyard grass are all perennial grasses belonging to the genus Barnyard grass in the grass family Poaceae, and are commonly found as weeds in a wide range of areas from urban areas to farmlands. Their most distinctive feature is their flat, nearly circular to oval-shaped spikelets...
plant ヒエガエリとハマヒエガエリの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説
ヒエガエリとハマヒエガエリはいずれもイネ科ヒエガエリ属に含まれる雑草です。地味な雑草で基本的には水辺を好みますが、路肩などでも見かけることがあります。円錐花序と小穂にある「芒のぎ」が特徴ですが、2種の区別がつかないという人もいるかもしれませ...
plant オヒシバ・メヒシバ・コメヒシバの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説
オヒシバ・メヒシバ・コメヒシバはいずれもイネ科に含まれ、夏～秋になると都市部～農村部のあらゆる場所で生えているのを確認できるようになる極めて一般的な草本・雑草です。最も大きな共通点は「総そう」と呼ばれる総状花序を数本つける点です。名前の似て...
plant What are the differences between poinsettias, Epipactis thunbergii, and false Epipactis thunbergii? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Is it a myth that poinsettias are poisonous?!
Poinsettias, Euphorbia hederacea, and Euphorbia leucocephala all belong to the Euphorbia genus of the Euphorbiaceae family. While widely cultivated for ornamental purposes, they also sometimes become naturalized. Their most striking feature is their bright red or white, conspicuous petal-like "bracts"...
plant What's the difference between Angelica acutiloba and Angelica gigas? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Is the purple color of the flowers due to wasps?!
Both Angelica dahurica and Angelica pubescens belong to the Angelica genus of the Apiaceae family. They are medium to large perennial herbs with thick stems and broad leaves, and are similar in that their leaflets are large and rounded. However, upon closer observation, there are differences in their leaves, flowers, and fruits. However, since there are many species in the Angelica genus, careful distinction is necessary...
plant タマサンゴ（フユサンゴ）とヒメタマサンゴの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説
タマサンゴ（フユサンゴ）とヒメタマサンゴはいずれもナス科ナス属に含まれ、冬になると丸くて赤く熟した果実（液果）をつけることから見栄えが良く、観賞用に盛んに栽培されています。しかし、日本国内ではタマサンゴとヒメタマサンゴの2変種をきちんと区別...
plant What are the differences between Ophiopogon japonicus, Ophiopogon longifolius, Ophiopogon sieboldii, and Ophiopogon orchid? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.
Ophiopogon japonicus, Ophiopogon longifolius, Ophiopogon sieboldii, and Ophiopogon orchid all belong to the Ophiopogon genus of the Asparagaceae family (formerly Asparagaceae), and are evergreen perennial herbs often seen growing creeping along the ground in forests. Their most distinctive feature is the dark blue seeds they produce, which are easily mistaken for fruits...