Both Christmas roses and Lenten roses belong to the genus Helleborus in the Ranunculaceae family, and in Japan, they are frequently cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens because they bloom during the winter. Extensive breeding efforts have resulted in large-flowered and double-flowered varieties. However, due to the diversity of varieties, the two species are often collectively referred to as "Helleborus," the scientific name for the genus, and many people seem to misunderstand the distinction between them. In reality, Christmas roses and Lenten roses are completely different species, with differences in flowering period and flower color, but examining the bracts is a more reliable way to distinguish them. This article will explain the classification of the genus Helleborus.

What are Christmas roses and Lenten roses?

Christmas rose (Helleborus niger), also known as winter peony, winter peony, or snow-awakening flower, is native to the Alps of Europe (Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia) and is an evergreen perennial. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant all over the world, including Japan.

The spring-blooming Christmas rose, Helleborus orientalis, is also known as Helleborus orientalis, Lenten rose, or Dwarf Winter Peony. Native to Turkey, the Caucasus, and Greece, it is an evergreen perennial. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant all over the world, including Japan. The standard Japanese name comes from its flowering period, while the alternative name Lenten rose comes from the fact that it blooms around Lent in Europe and America.

All of these species belong to the genus Helleborus in the Ranunculaceae family. Morphologically, like many other plants in the Ranunculaceae family, the parts that appear to be "petals" on the flower are actually composed of "sepals," and the true petals have transformed into nectaries. All members of the genus Helleborus are perennial herbs, and their leaves are "trifoliate compound leaves" consisting of three leaflets.

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #124] What are the species of the Ranunculaceae family? Photo list

The Ranunculaceae family mostly consists of perennial herbs, but some are annuals or biennials, and occasionally shrubs. Leaves can be alternate or opposite, and leaf shape varies considerably. Flowers are radially or bilaterally symmetrical, and many have sepals that resemble petals. Some petals are missing...

ecological-information.com

Furthermore, among the Christmas rose genus, Christmas roses and Lenten roses have basal leaves, meaning the leaves and flowers are on different stems.

In Japan, because it blooms during the winter, it is frequently cultivated in gardens for ornamental purposes. Extensive breeding efforts have resulted in large-flowered varieties, a wide range of flower colors, and even double-flowered varieties.

Perhaps due to this diversity of varieties, the two species are often collectively referred to as "Helleborus," the scientific name for the Christmas rose genus, and it seems that many people do not properly distinguish between the two species.

It is believed that a significant portion of what is sold as "Christmas rose" in Japanese gardens is actually "Lenten rose."

What is the difference between Christmas roses and Lenten roses?

Christmas roses and Lenten roses are actually completely different species.

The most commonly cited difference is the timing of when the flowers bloom (flowering period).

In Japan, Christmas roses bloom from January to March, while Lenten roses bloom from March to early April.

As you can see from this, despite its name "Christmas rose," it doesn't actually bloom in December, the month of Christmas. This is because it blooms a little earlier in regions with warmer winters, and there is a discrepancy in Japan.

However, the flowering period actually varies among cultivated varieties, so it's often not a reliable indicator. I've actually seen Lenten roses blooming in February.

So, where can we look to accurately distinguish between the two types?

In fact, Christmas roses and Lenten roses can be clearly distinguished by what are called "bracts" or "bract leaves" located behind the flower (Spencer, 1997). A "bract" refers to a leaf that has specialized to enclose the flower.

In Christmas roses, the bracts are entire (without serrations) and not divided (appearing as a single leaf), whereas in Lenten roses, the bracts have serrations and are divided (appearing as multiple leaves joined together).

In other words, you'll get the impression that the Lenten rose has pointed leaves surrounding the back of the flower. The bracts themselves are also larger and more prominent in the Lenten rose. If you check these points, you won't make a mistake.

Some people also point to the flower color as another difference between the two species.

It's true that the calyx color of the original species is white for Christmas roses and pink for Lenten roses. However, white Lenten roses also exist, so it's best to consider this only as a general guideline.

While hybridization between Christmas roses and Lenten roses is considered rare and difficult, hybrids resulting from crossing Christmas roses with other members of the Christmas rose genus are also known. Therefore, distinguishing a hybrid from a Christmas rose solely based on the presence of entire bracts may be difficult.

Are there any other members of the Christmas rose genus?

There are several other known species in the genus Christmas rose, and I will briefly introduce them along with how to distinguish them (Spencer, 1997; Yokoyama, 2023). For more detailed information, I recommend referring to Yokoyama (2023).

The tree-shaped Christmas rose, Helleborus foetidus, is also known as Helleborus foetidus. Unlike Christmas roses and Lenten roses, it lacks basal leaves, and the leaves and flowers grow on the same stem. The flower calyx is noticeably small and not very conspicuous. The flowers and leaves have a rather unpleasant odor.

Helleborus viridis, also known as the light yellow winter peony, is also called the green Christmas rose. Unlike Christmas roses and Lenten roses, it lacks basal leaves, and the leaves and flowers grow on the same stem. The leaves have prominent serrations, and the flower calyx is green.

It should be noted that while the Japanese name is Fuyubotan (winter peony), the winter-blooming variety of Paeonia suffruticosa, a member of the Paeoniaceae family, is also called Fuyubotan, so care should be taken not to confuse them.

References

Spencer, R. 1997. Ranunculaceae. In: R. Spencer (Ed.), Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia: The identification of garden and cultivated plants (Vol. 2 Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1). University of New South Wales Press, Sydney. ISBN: 9780868403038, https://hortflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/taxon/ad8cd5b4-5340-11e7-b82b-005056b0018f/key

Yokoyama, Naoki. 2023. Christmas Roses: Everything You Need to Know About Wild Species, Hybrids, and Cultivation. Seibundo Shinkosha, Tokyo. 143pp. ISBN: 9784416623107

Japanese anemone (Anemone hupehensis), Taiwanese anemone, and button-leaved Japanese anemone all belong to the genus Anemone in the family Ranunculaceae. Japanese anemone and button-leaved Japanese anemone, in particular, are popular perennial plants in horticulture, representing autumn. However, these species are often confused. Biologically, "Japanese anemone" and "Japanese anemone" are the same. Also, most of what is introduced as "Japanese anemone" is actually button-leaved Japanese anemone. Japanese anemone and Taiwanese anemone are distinguished by the shape of their leaves and the number of sepals (not petals) on their flowers. Button-leaved Japanese anemone is a hybrid, so it has characteristics intermediate between Japanese anemone and Himalayan anemone. It is believed that most of what is currently cultivated in Japan is button-leaved Japanese anemone. This article will explain the classification of Japanese anemone species.

What are Japanese anemones, Taiwanese anemones, Himalayan anemones, and Botan-kibune anemones?

Japanese anemone (Anemone hupehensis var. japonica, also known as Eriocapitella japonica overseas) is a perennial herb native to southeastern China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, growing as a shrub in hilly areas, on grassy slopes, and along rivers (Wu et al., 2001; RBG Kew, 2023). It has become naturalized in Japan, South Korea, and Hawaii after being cultivated for ornamental purposes. In Japan, in particular, it has been cultivated for a long time. The variety found in the Kibune district of Kyoto is sometimes called Kibunegiku, but this is merely another name and there is no biological difference.

Taiwanese anemone (Anemone matsudae, known as Eriocapitella hupehensis overseas) is a perennial plant distributed in southern China, Taiwan, Myanmar, and Nepal.

Himalayan anemone (Anemone vitifolia, also known as Eriocapitella vitifolia overseas) is a perennial herb distributed in southern China (including the Himalayas), Nepal, and Pakistan, growing in sparse woodlands, grassy slopes, and riverbanks. It was once confused with Taiwanese anemone.

Anemone x hybrida (known as Eriocapitella x hybrida overseas), also called Peony Kibunegiku, is a horticultural hybrid created by crossing Japanese anemone (Anemone hupehensis) and Himalayan anemone (Anemone hupehensis) (Herman, 2004). After botanist Robert Fortune discovered Japanese anemone in Shanghai in 1843, he sent it to England, where it was hybridized by Europeans. Currently, it is cultivated more than Japanese anemone in Japan.

All of these plants belong to the genus Anemone in the Ranunculaceae family, and Anemone hupehensis in particular, as well as Anemone japonica and Anemone sempervirens, are representative perennial plants of autumn that are widely cultivated in horticulture.

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #124] What are the species of the Ranunculaceae family? Photo list

The Ranunculaceae family mostly consists of perennial herbs, but some are annuals or biennials, and occasionally shrubs. Leaves can be alternate or opposite, and leaf shape varies considerably. Flowers are radially or bilaterally symmetrical, and many have sepals that resemble petals. Some petals are missing...

ecological-information.com

The fact that what appears to be the most conspicuous petals of the flower are actually sepals reflects the characteristics of the Ranunculaceae family, while the opposite or whorled arrangement of leaves on the above-ground stem and the achene-like fruit reflect the characteristics of the Anemone genus (Kanagawa Prefecture Flora Survey Association, 2018).

Furthermore, among the Anemone genus, the presence of a pedicel on the achene and branched stems are characteristic features of the Anemone genus. For this reason, in some countries, it is classified as a separate genus called Eriocapitella.

However, these Japanese anemones are extremely often confused, and almost everything that is generally referred to as "Japanese anemone" on the internet is actually *Anemone hupehensis*.

What are the differences between Japanese anemone, Taiwanese anemone, and Himalayan anemone?

First, let's keep in mind that, biologically speaking, "Japanese anemone" and "yellow anemone" are exactly the same thing.

Japanese anemone, Himalayan anemone, and Taiwanese anemone are completely different species (or varieties), so there are clear differences between them.

Specifically, the difference lies in the fact that Japanese anemone and Taiwanese anemone have trifoliate compound leaves (originally one leaf completely divided into three), while Himalayan anemone has simple leaves (leaves that are not divided) and three shallow lobes (with shallow incisions).

Another difference is that while Japanese anemones cultivated in Japan have semi-double to double sepals (about 10 to 20 petals) that resemble petals, Taiwanese anemones and Himalayan anemones have single sepals (5 to 8 petals at most).

What are the differences between *Chrysanthemum boreale* and other species?

The problem lies with the button-leaved anemone (Anemone hupehensis). Since the button-leaved anemone is a hybrid of Japanese anemone (Anemone hupehensis) and Himalayan anemone (Anemone japonica), individuals in an intermediate state can be said to belong to this species. Incidentally, some articles claim that it is a hybrid with Taiwanese anemone (Anemone taiwanensis), but this is not the case. The flower color ranges from white to purple, and the calyx ranges from single to double flowers. The leaves also range from compound to simple.

Specifically, if you see a plant with semi-double to double flowers but simple, three-lobed leaves, you can assume it is a type of chrysanthemum called *Chrysanthemum boreale*.

Also, while the flowers of the true Japanese anemone (Shumeigiku) are generally purple, the Botan-kibunegiku (Peony-leaved Chrysanthemum) is white to purple, so if it's white, it's likely to be Botan-kibunegiku.

In reality, it seems that many of the plants currently cultivated in Japan are actually the Peony-leaved Anemone. This suggests that the original Japanese anemone, once cultivated in Japan, has been replaced by the Peony-leaved Anemone, which was hybridized in Europe. Depending on how you look at it, it might be sad that the original Japanese anemone is being forgotten. Moreover, this fact is not even known to many people.

Taiwanese anemone and Himalayan anemone may occasionally be cultivated in Japan, but it is unclear how common they actually are.

References

Herman, R. 2004. Fall-blooming anemones. Fine Gardening 99: 48-52. ISSN: 0896-6281, https://www.finegardening.com/article/fall-blooming-anemones

Kanagawa Prefecture Flora Survey Association. 2018. Kanagawa Prefecture Flora 2018 (Electronic Edition). Kanagawa Prefecture Flora Survey Association, Odawara. 1803pp. ISBN: 9784991053726

RBG Kew. 2023. The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. Plants of the World Online. http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/

Wu, ZY, Raven, PH & Hong, DY (Eds.). 2001. Flora of China (Vol. 6 Caryophyllaceae through Lardizabalaceae). Science Press, Beijing, and Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis. 512pp. ISBN: 9781930723054

Clematis terniflora, Clematis patens, and Clematis japonica all belong to the genus Clematis in the Ranunculaceae family and are climbing semi-shrubs found in Japanese forests. They share many similarities, such as compound leaves, flowers with white sepals instead of petals, and feathery fruits, which can make them difficult to distinguish. However, they can generally be distinguished by focusing on the shape of their leaves. While there are differences in the structure of the flowers and fruits between Clematis terniflora and Clematis patens and Clematis japonica, no differences are known between Clematis patens and Clematis japonica. This article will explain the classification of Clematis terniflora, Clematis patens, and Clematis japonica.

What are Clematis terniflora, Clematis patens, and Clematis japonica?

Clematis terniflora, also known as "clematis grass," is an evergreen climbing subshrub commonly found in bright forest edges and grassland edges in Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, and Ogasawara Islands), as well as in Korea and China (Kanagawa Prefecture Flora Survey Association, 2018).

Clematis apiifolia var. apiifolia, also known as peony vine, is a deciduous, climbing semi-shrub that grows at the edges of forests and is distributed in Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in Japan, as well as in Korea and China.

Clematis apiifolia var. biternata, also known as small peony vine, is a deciduous, climbing semi-shrub distributed in Honshu, Japan (from the Kanto region to the Chubu region), growing in sunny mountainous areas.

Both belong to the genus Clematis in the Ranunculaceae family and are climbing semi-shrubs found in Japanese forests.

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #124] What are the species of the Ranunculaceae family? Photo list

The Ranunculaceae family mostly consists of perennial herbs, but some are annuals or biennials, and occasionally shrubs. Leaves can be alternate or opposite, and leaf shape varies considerably. Flowers are radially or bilaterally symmetrical, and many have sepals that resemble petals. Some petals are missing...

ecological-information.com

The main similarities include the fact that the leaves on the above-ground stem are opposite or whorled and compound; the flowers lack petals and consist only of white sepals; and the fruit is an achene with a style that elongates after flowering and becomes feathery. There are many similarities, so it may be difficult to distinguish between them.

What are the differences between Clematis terniflora, Clematis patens, and Clematis japonica?

However, these plants have distinct differences in leaf shape. All of them have trifoliate to odd-pinnately compound leaves.

First, a key difference is that Clematis terniflora has leaves without serrations (entire margins), while Clematis patens and Clematis japonica have leaves with serrations.

However, clematis can sometimes have serrated edges, especially in its young leaves. This is something to be aware of.

There are also differences in the flowers; in Clematis terniflora, the stamens are shorter than the sepals and the buds are pointed, while in Clematis terniflora and Clematis japonica, the stamens are the same length as the sepals and the buds are rounded.

There are also differences in the fruit; Clematis terniflora has a flattened, oval shape with few hairs, while Clematis patens and Clematis japonica have a spindle-shaped fruit densely covered with short hairs.

Clematis terniflora and Clematis terniflora are completely different species, hence the many differences. However, Clematis terniflora and Clematis terniflora are botanically the same species, differing only at the variety level, so the morphological differences are less pronounced.

The biggest difference between Clematis terniflora and Clematis japonica is also the shape of their leaves. Clematis terniflora has once-trifoliate compound leaves, while Clematis japonica has twice-trifoliate compound leaves.

The terminology may seem confusing, but to put it simply, in Clematis terniflora, only one trifoliate compound leaf (a compound leaf consisting of three leaflets) grows from a single petiole, whereas in Clematis japonica, three trifoliate compound leaves grow from a single petiole. Since compound leaves are originally formed from the division of a single leaf, they are called bifoliate compound leaves because they have been divided twice.

This should allow you to distinguish between the three types.

What other similar types are there?

The genus Clematis is quite large, and I cannot introduce all of them here, but I will introduce a few.

A similar species to Clematis terniflora is Clematis fujisanensis, but it grows at high altitudes, and unlike Clematis terniflora, its body turns black when dry. The differences may be quite subtle.

A relative of Clematis pierotii, which resembles Clematis terniflora and Clematis japonica, has flowers in clusters of 1 to 3 in the leaf axils, with sepals that are 1.5 cm or longer and sharply pointed at the tip (in the other two species, the flowers are numerous and arranged in a panicle, with sepals less than 1 cm long and blunt-tipped).

In addition, in horticulture, varieties such as clematis (a general term for species of the Clematis genus found overseas), clematis, and kazaguruma are cultivated, but their colorful flowers make it unlikely to mistake them for each other.

References

Kanagawa Prefecture Flora Survey Association. 2018. Kanagawa Prefecture Flora 2018 (Electronic Edition). Kanagawa Prefecture Flora Survey Association, Odawara. 1803pp. ISBN: 9784991053726

The Paeoniaceae family consists of perennial herbs or small shrubs. The leaves are alternate or basal, large, trifoliate, or somewhat pinnately compound, and lack stipules. The flowers are large, with 3-5 bluish-green sepals and petal-like petals without nectaries. There are numerous stamens. It is a monotypic family, containing only one genus, Paeonia, found in the Northern Hemisphere. Although sometimes included in the Ranunculaceae family due to its similar appearance, this has been controversial, and in the APG system, it is now placed in the Saxifragales order.

This article provides a comprehensive, illustrated guide to plants belonging to the Paeoniaceae family.

The basic information is based on Tsukamoto (1994). Photos are replaced as better ones become available. Also, while the identification is done by the author, please note that it may be changed without notice if there are any misidentifications.

No. 1331 Peony (Paeonia lactiflora)

This is a perennial herb. It grows to a height of 50-90 cm, with spindle-shaped roots and several upright stems each spring, bearing several alternate leaves (Baba, 1996). The lower leaves are twice-ternate compound leaves, often 2-3 lobed, with reddish veins and petioles. The upper leaves are simpler. It flowers from May to June. The flowers are large, white to red, often double-flowered, and have a rounded shape. In China, it was cultivated as a medicinal herb as early as before the Common Era, and thereafter mainly for ornamental purposes. The first record in Japan dates back to the time of Ono no Komachi (850s), but there are many theories that question whether these records were of true peonies, and there is a strong opinion that the first reliable description is in the famous flower arrangement book, "Sendensho" (1596-1624). Later, during the Edo period, horticultural varieties were improved in various places, but relatively simple flower shapes were preferred. Since the Meiji era, systematic breeding of peony varieties has been carried out at the Kanagawa Prefectural Agricultural Experiment Station, primarily by Mr. Bungo Miyazawa from the late Meiji period onward. In 1932 (Showa 7), 700 new varieties were announced. It is said that there are approximately 3,000 horticultural varieties in total, and recently, many interspecific hybrids have been created, mainly in the United States, further increasing the number of varieties. The dried or steam-dried roots are called peony and are used as a medicinal herb. It is distributed in northern China, Mongolia, southeastern Siberia, and the northern Korean Peninsula, growing in forests and grasslands at altitudes of 400 to 2,300 meters (Flora of China).

No. 1334 Button Paeonia suffruticosa

This is a deciduous shrub. The stems reach a height of 2m. The leaves are bipinnately compound, with the terminal leaflet being about 10cm long. The upper surface of the leaves is green and hairless, while the underside is pale green and covered with a white powdery substance. The petioles are 5-11cm long and almost hairless. It flowers in May. The flowers are solitary at the tips of the branches, large (11-17cm in diameter), and white, pink, red, or purple. There are five green sepals. There are five petals, although double varieties exist. There are numerous stamens. The floral disc is purplish-red and encloses the cup-shaped stamens. There are five pistils, densely covered with soft hairs, which dehisce when mature. It bears fruit in June. The root bark is used medicinally for pain relief, anti-inflammatory purposes, blood purification, and for treating stroke and abdominal pain. It is distributed in the Yan'an area of Shaanxi Province, China, and grows on cliffs at an altitude of 300m (Flora of China). Originally used for medicinal purposes, the peony flower became more beloved than any other flower, revered as the "king of flowers," from the prosperous Tang dynasty onward. According to the "Shōsō Zatsuroku," peonies first began to be admired during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, but at that time they were called "wooden peonies" (Kubo, 2009).

References

Baba, Atsushi. 1996. 500 Medicinal Herbs: From Cultivation to Uses. Seibundo Shinkosha. Tokyo. 167pp. ISBN: 9784416496183

Kubo, T. 2009. The problem of identifying Mudan and the tree peony in early China. Asian Medicine 5(1): 108-145. ISSN: 1573-420X, https://doi.org/10.1163/157342109X568964

Tsukamoto, Yotaro. 1994. Encyclopedia of Horticultural Plants, Compact Edition. Shogakukan, Tokyo. 3710pp. ISBN: 9784093051118

The Ranunculaceae family consists mostly of perennial herbs, but also includes annuals and biennials, and occasionally shrubs. Leaves can be alternate or opposite, and leaf shape varies considerably. Flowers are radially or bilaterally symmetrical, and many have sepals that resemble petals. Some flowers lack petals, or if present, they are small, nectar-like structures. Stamens are numerous and free, and pistils range from numerous to single, with a superior ovary. The spiral arrangement of flower parts, numerous and irregular stamens, all free parts, and a superior ovary are all considered primitive characteristics of angiosperms. Many species produce beautiful flowers and are cultivated as ornamental plants. Many species are poisonous due to the presence of alkaloids, but a significant number are also used medicinally. There are 58 genera and approximately 3,000 species known worldwide. Many genera and species are found in the temperate regions of East Asia. Japan has 22 genera and approximately 145 species.

This article provides a comprehensive, illustrated guide to plants belonging to the Ranunculaceae family.

The basic information is based on Tsukamoto (1994) and the Kanagawa Prefectural Flora Survey Association (2018). Photographs are replaced as better ones become available. While the identifications are made by the author, please note that they may be changed without notice if misidentifications are found.

No. 1188 Coptis quinquefolia

A perennial herb. Also known as Gokayououren. The rhizome is slender and creeps horizontally, producing stolons. The basal leaves are somewhat thick, glossy, and palmately compound. The leaflets are shallowly 3-lobed with sharp serrations. The flower stalk is 4-15 cm tall and has small bracts at the top. The flowers bloom facing upwards, and the sepals are white. It is distributed in Honshu (south of Fukushima Prefecture) and Shikoku. It can be found in the beech to fir zones, growing on the forest floor and forest edges of coniferous forests.

No. 1189 Coptis japonica var. anemonifolia

This is an evergreen perennial herb. The rhizome is somewhat thick, yellow inside, and produces many fibrous roots. The basal leaves are clustered, thick in texture, and once-ternately compound. The leaflets are pinnately lobed with notched serrations on the lobes. The flower stalks are 15-40 cm long, branching and usually bearing three flowers. It is distributed in Hokkaido (southern part, where escaped species are suspected) and Honshu (the Sea of Japan side from Yamagata Prefecture to Hyogo Prefecture). It can be found in the beech to fir zones, growing on the forest floor of coniferous forests, and is often cultivated for medicinal purposes.

No. 1192 Caltha palustris var. enkoso

A variety of marsh marigold whose stems spread out and touch the ground, with the upper part growing diagonally upwards to bear flowers.

No. 1193 Caltha palustris var. nipponica

A perennial herb. The stems grow to a height of 15-50 cm. The basal leaves are 3-10 cm long and wide. The stem leaves are similar in shape but smaller. It produces yellow flowers in early summer. It is distributed in Honshu, Kyushu, and Korea. It grows in water and wetlands such as swamps and ponds. It is often confused with Lesser Celandine on the internet, but it can be distinguished by the fact that it usually has five perianth segments and does not have a spindle-shaped tuber.

No.1193.a Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna)

This perennial herb prefers moist locations and grows to a height of 10-20 cm. The leaves grow in a rosette at the base or branch from a low position on the stem, with petioles about 4-12 cm long, and are 3-6 cm long, oblong, with a soft, leathery texture and a cordate to spear-shaped base. The flowers are yellow, 2-5 cm in diameter, and have about 8-10 perianth segments. It has a spindle-shaped tuber underground. Native to Europe, cultivated varieties have escaped cultivation in various places such as around houses and parks. According to a recent taxonomic reassessment based on morphology (Veldkamp, 2015), it is classified into 7 subspecies based on the presence or absence of bulbils in the leaf axils, flower size, presence or absence of hairs on the surface of the achene, and shape at the time of flowering. Those without bulbils in the leaf axils are considered to be subsp. fertilis. The form that produces bulbils in the leaf axils was given the new name Caltha hiranoi by Tamura (1958) and is thought to correspond to subsp. verna or subsp. ficariiformis by Veldkamp (2015). Caltha hiranoi is a larger form, and Uemura et al. (2015) and Uemura (1993) have proposed a Japanese name for it, suggesting it corresponds to F. ficarioides or Ranunculus ficarioides. However, it is said that its flower size and other characteristics do not match those of subsp. ficarioides by Veldkamp (2015), and research on it is insufficient. The gloss of the flowers reflects ultraviolet light, and even at low temperatures, the center of the flower is several degrees warmer than the surrounding air, which promotes seed and pollen maturation and is favored by pollinators (van der Kooi et al., 2017).

No. 1200 Nigella damascena

An annual plant (Flora of North America). Also known as Nigella. The stems are erect, slender, 10–75 cm long, and glossy. The leaves are 2–16 cm long, with petioles on the stem leaves that are wider than ± sessile leaves. Inflorescence: The involucral bracts are spiral-shaped, resembling the stem leaves, and curve to surround the flowers. The flowers are 10–50 (–60) mm in diameter. The sepals are blue, sometimes pink or white. Short, claw-shaped. 8–25 × 3–15 mm. The apex is entirely or irregularly deeply lobed, sometimes shallowly lobed. The petals are claw-shaped. The outer lip is distally 2-lobed, with 2–3 nectaries or a widened apex, and the outer lip is scaly. The capsule is smooth, 8–35 mm long. It has 5–10 locules. The beak is elongated. Flowering occurs from late spring to early autumn. Native to the Eurasian continent, it is commonly cultivated for ornamental purposes and for dried flower arrangements. Occasionally, it escapes cultivation and establishes itself.

What are the differences between Nigella (Nigella fuciformis) and Black Cumin (Nigella fragrans)? What are their medicinal properties? What are their components? Did the flowers deceive insects by creating false nectar glands?!

Nigella (Ilex crenata) and black cumin (Ilex rotunda) are cultivated worldwide for ornamental and medicinal purposes, and are now common in Japan, but they are very easily confused. Even searching online will bring up many incorrect photos. However, distinguishing between them is actually quite difficult…

ecological-information.com

No. 1207 Anemonopsis macrophylla

This is a perennial herb. The stems grow to a height of 40-80 cm. The basal leaves and lower stem leaves are large and compound leaves with three leaflets 2-4 times. The leaves resemble those of Cimicifuga simplex and Cimicifuga japonica, but both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are hairless and the serrations are coarser. The flowers are 3-3.5 cm in diameter. The sepals are oblong with rounded tips and 1.5-2 cm long. The petals are erect and do not spread, and the tips are darker in color. The flowers are pale purple and elegant. It is mainly distributed on the Pacific side of Honshu (from Fukushima Prefecture to Nara Prefecture). It grows on the forest floor of beech forests.

No.1208 Semiaquilegia adoxoides

A perennial herb. It is a delicate herbaceous plant with a tuberous rhizome. The stem grows to a height of 20-40 cm. The flower stalk is slightly branched. The leaves are trifoliate compound leaves. The flowers are white to pale pink, about 5 mm in diameter, and drooping. The sepals are 5-6 mm long. The petals are 2.5-3 mm long with a short spur at the base. It is distributed in Honshu (west of the Kanto region), Shikoku, Kyushu, Korea, and China. It grows in shallow hills and on the banks of fields.

No.1209 Aquilegia flabellata var. flabellata

This is a perennial plant. The Japanese name "Odama-ki" comes from the fact that the shape of the flower resembles an odamaki (a ball of hemp yarn wound so that it is hollow inside). It is almost hairless. It is generally larger than the Miyama Odama-ki, reaching a height of 30-50 cm, with a sturdier flower stalk, larger flowers, and more flowers. The leaves are also thicker and have a more powdery white appearance. The basal leaves are twice-ternate compound leaves. It blooms around May, and in addition to purple flowers, there are also white varieties. The ovary and follicle are hairless. Propagation is easy by seed; if sown in spring and transplanted in autumn, it will flower the following year. If sown in autumn, it will flower the year after next. It has been cultivated in Japan since ancient times. It is thought to be a cultivated variety of the Miyama Odama-ki that grows wild in Japan.

No.1210 Aquilegia flabellata var. pumila

This is a perennial herb (a Japanese alpine plant). Its roots are thick and grow straight downwards. Several leaves emerge from the base of the stem. Each leaf is twice-ternately compound, with the first petiole being clearly visible, but the second being very short, and the leaflets clustered together. The leaflets are fan-shaped, thin, pale green, and have a powdery surface. The stem grows to a height of 10-25 cm, and flowers bloom from June to August, with several flowers drooping at the tip. The flowers are bluish-purple, with broadly ovate sepals that open in an umbrella shape, and petals that are clustered in a cylindrical shape, with slightly whitish tips. A spur extends from the base through the gaps between the sepals. The fruit is a follicle, resembling a bundle of five pointed tubes that point upwards. This alpine plant is distributed from Hokkaido to the Chubu region and further north, from the Southern Kuril Islands to northern Korea and Sakhalin. It is listed as an endangered species (Critically Endangered I) on the Red List in Akita, Miyagi, Gunma, and Ishikawa prefectures, and as Endangered II in Iwate prefecture.

No. 1212 European Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)

Perennial herb (Flora of North America). Stems reach a height of 30–72 cm. Basal leaves are bipinnately compound, 10–30 cm long, considerably shorter than the stem. Leaflets are green on the upper surface, 15–47 mm long or less, non-sticky, with primary petioles 22–60 mm long (leaflets are not densely clustered), glabrous or rarely pubescent. Flowering occurs from spring to summer (May–July). Flowers are downward-facing, sepals are scattered from the rachis or erect perpendicular to the rachis, mostly blue or purple, lanceolate-ovate, (10–)15–25 mm long × 8–12 mm wide, with a broadly acute to obtuse apex. Petals have a spur that is mostly blue or purple, hook-shaped, 14–22 mm long, sturdy, evenly tapering from the base, and the expanded part is mostly blue or purple, oblong, 10–13 mm long × 6–10 mm wide. The stamens are 9-13 mm long. The follicles are 15-25 mm long, and the beaks are 7-15 mm long. Native to Europe and North Africa, it grows in disturbed areas. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in various countries, including Japan.

No. 1212.1 Double-flowered columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris var. flore-pleno)

A double-flowered variety of European columbine.

No.1213.a Delphinium anthriscifolium

An annual plant. The stems grow to a height of 15-40 cm. The leaves are alternate and have long petioles. The leaf blades are triangular-ovate, deeply divided into three lobes, each further pinnately lobed. The flowers have long petioles and five sepals. The petals are pale purple. The three dorsal petals are fused together to form a tubular spur. Native to China, it was introduced to Japan during the Meiji era and is commonly found around Tokyo.

No.1213.b Delphinium elatum

"Elatum larkspur" is a pseudonym used by the author. It is a perennial plant, but in warmer climates it is cultivated as an annual. It grows to a height of 40-200 cm. The stems are covered with soft hairs or are hairless and green. They are unbranched and grow upright. The stem leaves are opposite, with 7-26 leaves when in flower. The petioles are 1-18 cm long, and the leaf blades are 3-15 cm long and 6-22 cm wide, covered with short soft hairs, pentagonal in shape, and 3-9 lobed at the tip, with lobes 8-30 mm wide. A spike-like inflorescence 25-100 cm long emerges from the top of the stem. The flowers are 3-6 cm in diameter, with conspicuous colored petal-like sepals. Cultivated varieties have flowers in blue, sky blue, light blue, purple, purplish-red, red, pink, and white, as well as yellow varieties. Flower shapes range from single to semi-double and double. The flowering period is from May to August. The fruit is a three-lobed follicle, 13-20 mm long. It is native to mountainous regions at altitudes of 1300-2300 m in Europe (from the Pyrenees to the Alps), Siberia, Central Asia, and southwestern China. It is cultivated for ornamental purposes, and many horticultural varieties have been created through crossbreeding with other species.

No. 1215 Aconitum loczyanum

This is a perennial herb (a wild plant of Japan). Its Japanese name, Reijin-sou, comes from the fact that the shape of its flowers resembles the crown worn by Reijin (musicians of Gagaku). It grows to a height of 40-80 cm, and the upper part is densely covered with short hairs. The basal leaves have long petioles and are palmately divided into 5-7 lobes. The stem leaves are small. The flowers bloom from August to October at the tips of the stems and in the leaf axils, and are pale reddish-purple, about 2.5 cm long, with spreading hairs on the outside. The pedicels are 1-1.5 cm long and densely covered with spreading hairs. It is distributed in Honshu west of the Kinki region, as well as in Shikoku and Kyushu. It grows in bright forests and mountain grasslands.

No. 1225 Aconitum japonicum subsp. japonicum

A pseudo-annual herb. The stem is erect or ascending. The leaf blade has a rounded to pentagonal outline, is 3-lobed to 3-deeply lobed, and exhibits a wide variation in the depth of the lobes, from shallow to deep. The range of variation in leaf shape is wide. The entire surface of the pedicel is covered with rough, bent hairs. The corolla is cap-shaped to conical, often with the apex bent forward and a long beak. The pistil is glabrous. Rarely, rough, bent or rough, ascending hairs are sparsely present on the abaxial side. The stamens are usually densely covered with rough, spreading hairs but are sometimes glabrous. Distributed in Honshu (Kanto to Tokai regions). Aconitum hakonense var. hakonense grows in the grasslands of Hakone, is small overall, has an erect stem, deeply lobed leaves, a corymbose inflorescence, and densely packed flowers, and is considered an erect form of Aconitum japonicum that grows in grasslands.

No.1227.a Aconitum japonicum subsp. maritimum var. maritimum

A pseudo-annual herb. The stem is erect or ascending. The leaves have a pentagonal outline. They are 3-lobed to 3-deeply lobed, and the deep notches of the lateral lobes sometimes make the leaf blade appear as if it is 5-lobed. There is a wide range of variation in leaf shape, but compared to Aconitum japonicum, the serrations tend to be coarser and the protrusion of the serration tips is more pronounced. The entire surface of the pedicel is covered with rough, bent hairs. The corolla is cap-shaped with a long beak. The pistil is glabrous. Occasionally, rough, bent hairs are sparsely present on the abaxial side. The stamens are usually densely covered with rough, spreading hairs, but are sometimes glabrous. Distributed in Honshu (Kanto to Chubu regions). It is found in hilly areas near the sea.

No. 1238 Cimicifuga biternata

A perennial herb. The stems reach a height of 40-90 cm. The basal leaves are twice-ternate, sometimes once-ternate compound leaves. The leaflets are 6-10 cm long and 5-10 cm wide. The inflorescence is densely covered with short hairs and bears numerous small white flowers. It is endemic to Honshu (Kanto to Kinki regions) and grows at the edges of forests.

No. 1240 Cimicifuga simplex

A perennial herb. The stem reaches a height of 40-150 cm. The upper part of the stem, along with the inflorescence, is densely covered with fine white hairs. The leaves are 2-3 times ternate compound leaves. The leaflets are 3-8 cm long and 1.5-5 cm wide. The inflorescence elongates to 20-30 cm long and bears dense clusters of small white flowers. There are both male and hermaphroditic flowers. The sepals are oval-boat shaped. The petals are shallowly lobed at the tip and all fall off early. The number of stamens varies greatly. Distributed in Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu; Korea, China, and Siberia. It grows in forest edges from hills in the Castanopsis and Quercus zone to the upper part of the Abies mariesii zone.

No.1242 Larch Thalictrum alpinum var. stipitatum

This is a perennial herb (2018 Yamanashi Prefecture Red Data Book). The plant grows to a height of 8-20 cm, including the flower stalk. The basal leaves are numerous and clustered, petiolate, 1-8 cm long, and 2-3 times ternate compound leaves. There are 1-2 stem leaves. The flowering period is from July to August. The flowers are yellowish-green and borne in racemes, without petals, and the sepals are deciduous. The stamen filaments are thread-like. The fruit is somewhat flattened and spindle-shaped, with 4-6 fruits per cluster. It is distributed in grasslands in the alpine zone of central Honshu.

No.1244 Japanese larch Thalictrum minus var. hypoleucum

This is a perennial herb. The stems grow to a height of 40-150 cm, with the upper part branching frequently. The leaves are 2-4 times ternately compound, with leaflets 1-3 cm long. The inflorescence is large and spreads in a conical pattern, bearing numerous flowers. The flowers are 1 cm in diameter. The achenes are clustered in groups of 2-4 and are sessile. It is distributed in Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, the Ryukyu Islands, Korea, China, and Mongolia. It grows in forest edges and grasslands.

No. 1246 Thalictrum rochebrunianum

This is a perennial herb. The stems are 0.7 to 1.5 m long, tinged with purple, and hairless. The leaves are alternate, 3 to 4 times ternate compound leaves, with leaflets 1 to 3 cm long and shallowly 3-lobed at the tip. The flowers lack petals; the reddish-purple parts that look like petals are actually sepals. The sepals are pale reddish-purple, 4 to 5 in number, and oval-shaped. The sepals remain on the flower even after blooming. The stamens and pistils are yellow and numerous. The anthers are oblong, and the pedicels are hairless. It is distributed in Honshu, Japan (only in Nagano, Gunma, and Fukushima prefectures), and grows in damp places on the edges of deciduous broadleaf forests and within forests in mountainous areas.

No. 1248.1 Thalictrum tuberiferum var. yakusimense

A perennial herb, growing to a height of 10-15 cm. It is a variety of *Larcha japonica*, smaller overall, with leaves consisting of three leaflets and a rounded base. It flowers from July to September. The flowers are few in number, pale pink, and 5-8 mm in diameter. It is an endemic species distributed on Yakushima Island. It grows at the edge of forests.

No. 1257 Anemone nikoensis

A perennial herb. The rhizome creeps horizontally and thickens slightly in places. The basal leaves have long petioles and are compound leaves with three leaflets 1-2 times. The leaflets are 2-5 cm long. A flower stalk rises from the end of the rhizome that does not produce basal leaves. The involucral bracts are petiolate and once-ternate. The flower stalk is 20-30 cm long. There is one flower and five sepals. It is an early spring plant that appears in early spring and withers in early summer. It is distributed in Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. It grows in forest edges and forest floors.

No. 1258 Anemone pseudoaltaica

A perennial herb. Also known as Anemone pseudoaltaica. The rhizome is slender and creeps horizontally for 2-10 cm. The basal leaves have long petioles and are compound leaves with three leaflets 2-3 times. The leaflets are deeply pinnately lobed. The flower stalk grows upright, separate from the basal leaves. The flower stalk is 10-30 cm tall. The involucral bracts are arranged in whorls of three and are compound leaves with three leaflets. There is a single terminal flower, and the flowers are either white or bluish-purple. There are 8-13 sepals. It is an early spring plant that appears in early spring and withers in early summer. It is distributed in Hokkaido and Honshu (north of the Kinki region). It mainly grows in the forest edges and forest floor of beech forests.

No. 1263 Anemone flaccida

A perennial herb. The basal leaves have long petioles and are 3-lobed. The terminal leaflet is 2-4 cm long. The involucral bracts are sessile and deeply notched. There are 1-3 flowers and 5 sepals. It is an early spring plant that appears in early spring and withers in early summer. It is distributed in Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Korea, China, and Ussuri. It grows on forest edges and on the banks of fields near mountains.

No. 1265 Anemone narcissiflora subsp. nipponica

This is a perennial herb. The basal leaves are once-ternate compound leaves, finely and deeply lobed to appear circular, and have long petioles. The stem leaves are sessile. It flowers from June to August. Two to six flowers bloom at the end of a long pedicel at the top of the stem. The flowers are 2 to 3.5 cm in diameter and have 5 to 7 sepals that look like white petals. The pedicels are 2 to 12 cm long, elongating to 8 to 15 cm when in fruit. The achenes are flattened, broadly oval, 6 to 8 mm long, with wings on the edges, and turn black when ripe. It is a representative alpine plant, growing in moist grasslands from the subalpine to alpine zones from central Japan northward to the Tohoku region. It is often found growing in clusters in the areas where snowfields have melted. What appear to be white petals are actually sepals, of which there are 5 to 7. Individuals with green sepals are called *Anemone narcissiflora* f. viridis.

No. 1267 Anemone coronaria

The Japanese name follows that of 'Ylist'. It is also known as Botan Ichige and is commonly called "Anemone". It is a perennial herb. It has a branched, brownish tuber underground, reaching a height of 25-40 cm. The basal leaves are 3-lobed, palmately deeply lobed, or moderately lobed, with each lobe finely divided, the final lobe becoming linear and tapering to a minute apex. It flowers from April to May. The flower stalk grows from the tuber, bearing a single flower at the end. The involucral bracts are arranged in a whorl, separate from the flower. There are 6-8 sepals, in various colors such as red, pink, purple, indigo, and white. There are many stamens, and the stigma is blackish-purple. The achenes are clustered together to form a sphere, each containing one seed. Native to the Mediterranean coast, it is widely cultivated as an autumn-planted bulb for cut flowers, flower beds, and potted plants. It was introduced to England in 1596 and arrived in Japan in 1930 (Showa 5).

No. 1268 Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis var. japonica)

Also known as Kibunegiku. The stems grow to a height of 50-80 cm. The basal leaves are trifoliate compound leaves. The leaflets are shallowly 3-5 lobed and 5-7 cm long. There are about 30 sepals. The outer ones are green and thick, while the inner ones are reddish-purple and petal-like. Native to China. It is planted in gardens, but it escapes cultivation and grows at the edges of forests.

What are the differences between Japanese anemone and aster? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Were you mostly misidentifying Japanese anemones?

Japanese anemone (Anemone hupehensis), Taiwanese anemone, and button-leaved

ecological-information.com

No.1268.a Anemone x hybrida

No. 1269 Hepatica nobilis var. japonica f. variegata

A perennial herb. Compared to Hepatica nobilis, the tips of the basal leaf lobes are blunt, and the sepals are ovate to narrowly ovate, rounded, and white. There are usually 6 to 8 sepals, which is relatively few. It is distributed in Honshu (from the Pacific side of the Tohoku region to the southern Kanto region). It grows in woodlands.

No. 1271 Winter Peony Helleborus niger

Also known as Christmas rose. An evergreen perennial herb with a woody, dark rhizome. Reaches a height of 23-30 cm. Leaves are palmately compound, with 7-9 leaflets, leathery, somewhat waxy, dark green, and almost toothless. Flower stalks are 7.5-23 cm tall, fleshy, pale green or purple spotted, bearing usually one, rarely two or three, upward-facing flowers. Flowers are 4-7.5 cm in diameter. Sepals are 5 in number, 2-4 cm long and 1.2-4 cm wide, cup-shaped to spreading, forming a star shape. Flowers are white with green eyes, but the underside of buds and sepals is pink, turning pink as they age, and quickly becoming dark pink or almost red. Stamens are numerous and yellow. Pollen is smooth. There are 5-8 carpels. Seeds have conspicuous elaiosomes. Flowering period is January to March (June in alpine regions). It is a long-cultivated species with numerous horticultural varieties. It is native to the alpine regions of southern and central Europe (Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia). Helleborus niger subsp. niger: The leaves are dark green, sometimes with several teeth on the margins of the leaf tips, and the flowers are about 7 cm in diameter. Helleborus niger subsp. macranthus: It is distributed only in a narrow area of northern Italy and Yugoslavia. The leaves have a slightly bluish to grayish tint on the margins and small teeth on the edges. The flowers are relatively large, 7-9 cm in diameter. In the original description from 1957, the flowers were pure white, 8.5 cm in diameter. The flower stalks are 30 cm tall and have deep red spots.

No.1271.a Helleborus orientalis

Also known as spring-blooming Christmas rose or Lenten rose. An evergreen perennial herb. It grows to a height of 45 cm or less. The leaves are 45 cm or less in width, with 7 to 11 leaflets, the central leaflet being undivided, nearly oval in shape, about 17.5 cm long and 7.5 cm wide at its widest point, and with coarse serrations. The leaves are strong, leathery, and usually glabrous. The flower stalks are green or spotted, with many spots, especially at the base, and bear 7 or fewer flowers. The flowers are fragranceless, and the leaves and other parts have a bitter and nauseating taste. Wild species have flowers 4.5 to 7 cm in diameter, while cultivated varieties can grow up to 10 cm, and the flowers usually hang downwards. Flower colors include white, greenish, cream, reddish shading, red spots, and red stripes. The nectaries are green or reddish. The carpels are not joined at the base. It flowers in March. Native to northwestern Greece, northwestern Turkey, and the Caucasus region of Russia. Hybrids with the spring-blooming Christmas rose as a parent are called Orientalis Hybrids, and they have the most varieties among Helleborus species.

No. 1273 Ranunculus reptans

Perennial herb (Flora of China). Roots are fibrous, nearly uniform in thickness. Stems are thread-like. It extends creeping stems up to 25 cm long. They are glabrous or sparsely appressed, and roots emerge from the nodes. There are about 6 basal leaves, nearly sessile. The leaf blade is narrowly linear to linear-oblanceolate to narrowly spatulate, 3.5–5.5 cm long × 0.1–0.2 cm wide. It is glabrous or sparsely minutely pubescent, with a slightly broadened base, entire margin, and obtuse apex. Stem leaves are borne in clusters of several at each node, similar to basal leaves but smaller. Flowering occurs from July to September. Flowers are solitary, terminal or axillary, 0.6–0.9 cm in diameter. Pedicels are 3–8 cm long and minutely pubescent. The receptacle is glabrous. There are 5 sepals, ovate-orbicular, 2–3 mm long, minutely pubescent on the outside. The petals are 5-7 in number, obovate to narrowly obovate, 3-4.5 mm long and 2-2.5 mm wide. The nectary pores are scaleless and have rounded or truncate tips. There are numerous stamens. The anthers are ovate-circular. The aggregate fruit is spherical, 2.5-5 mm in diameter, with numerous carpels. The achenes are obliquely obovate, 1-1.5 mm long and 0.8-1 mm wide, and glabrous. The style is persistent and about 0.2 mm long. Native to Japan (Hokkaido to Honshu), China, Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Europe, and North America. It grows on the edges of ponds and swamps.

No.1279 Ranunculus sceleratus

This is a biennial herb. It has a short rhizome. The stem grows to a height of 25-60 cm, and the upper part is often branched. The basal leaves are 3-5 lobed. It flowers from April to May. The flowers are about 1 cm in diameter. The outside of the sepals has soft white hairs. It is found in Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and the Ryukyu Islands; it is widely distributed in the subtropical to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It grows in fallow fields and along the edges of ditches.

No. 1282 Ranunculus japonicus (Japanese buttercup)

Also known as buttercup. A perennial herb. The rhizome is short. The stem reaches a height of 30-60 cm. The basal leaves are 10-20 cm long, 3-5 lobed, with each lobe further divided into 2-3 sections. The leaves on the upper part of the stem are lanceolate and bract-like. The flowers are yellow, about 2 cm in diameter. The surface of the petals is glossy. Distributed in Hokkaido (southwest), Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands; Korea and China. It grows in mountainous and wild areas. Double-petaled buttercup f. pleniflorus refers to a variety with double petals and is rarely seen. Originally, this was called buttercup, but now it is considered an alternative name for the parent species. The surface of the petals is composed of an outermost thin membrane and a starch granule layer following a carotenoid layer. The strong gloss is due to the starch granule layer containing starch in the outermost membrane of the petal reflecting ultraviolet light (Haruyama et al., 2013). This trait is widely observed in the Ranunculus genus, and although its adaptive significance is not mentioned in Japanese studies, it is known that reflection keeps the center of the flower several degrees warmer than the surrounding air even at low temperatures, promoting seed and pollen maturation and making it more attractive to pollinators (van der Kooi et al., 2017).

No.1282.a Ranunculus yakushimensis (Japanese name: Himeuma noashigata)

This is a perennial herb, growing to a height of 6-10 cm. The stem is solid, and the lower part falls over, propagating by rooting from the nodes after flowering. The basal leaves are deeply 3-lobed, with each lobe further shallowly 3-lobed, 0.5-1.5 cm long. Both sides are covered with pale brown appressed hairs. The lower stem leaves are 3-lobed, while the upper leaves are linear. It flowers from July to August. The flowers are solitary, with yellow petals 1.2-1.5 cm long. It is endemic to Yakushima Island in Japan and grows in wetlands in the alpine zone.

No.1287 Ranunculus silerifolius var. glaber

Perennial herb. Stems are 30-80 cm tall, erect, and branching well in the upper part. The stems have few hairs and grow obliquely upwards. Basal leaves are 5-10 cm wide, trifoliate, with the terminal leaflet being 3-lobed. Lateral leaflets are 2-lobed, and the lobes are further shallowly 2-lobed. Flowers are about 1 cm in diameter. The aggregate fruit is spherical. The absence of ridges on the edges of the achenes is important for distinguishing it from Ranunculus japonicus. Distributed in Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and the Ryukyu Islands. Grows in shady, damp environments. Ranunculus guerpaertensis f. pleniflorus is a rare double-flowered variety.

No. 1288 Ranunculus cantoniensis

This perennial herb resembles Ranunculus japonicus, but is distinctly different in leaf shape, the shape of the remaining style, and the spreading hairs on the stems and branches, as well as the presence of ridges on the edges of the fruit. It is distributed in Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and the Ryukyu Islands; as well as in Korea and China. While Ranunculus japonicus prefers shade, this species prefers sunny environments and is more common in southern regions than Ranunculus japonicus.

No. 1295 Clematis terniflora

A herbaceous woody vine. The leaves are pinnately compound, with 3 to 7 leaflets. The leaflet shape varies considerably, from ovate to narrowly lanceolate. It produces conical cymes from the tips of the branches and leaf axils. Four white sepals spread flat in a cross shape. It is commonly found in bright forest edges and grassland edges. Distributed in Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, the Ryukyu Islands, the Ogasawara Islands, Korea, and China.

No.1295.1 Clematis terniflora var. mandshurica

This is a variety of Clematis terniflora (Flora of China) with finely pointed anthers. It is distributed in China, North Korea, Mongolia, and Russia (Siberia), and inhabits deciduous forests on slopes. It is rarely cultivated in Japan.

No.1298 Little Crane Clematis apiifolia var. biternata

This is a variety of Clematis terniflora, differing in that its leaves are twice-ternate compound leaves. Some literature states that the achenes are usually hairless, but they typically have hairs at the top. It is distributed in Honshu (from the Kanto region to the Chubu region).

No. 1302 Clematis japonica

This is a herbaceous woody vine. The leaves are once-ternate compound leaves. The pedicels grow from the leaf axils and are longer than the petioles. A pair of lanceolate bracteoles are attached to the pedicels. The flowers are bell-shaped. The four sepals are purplish-brown and slightly hairy at the base and recurved parts. It grows at the edges of forests. It is distributed in Honshu and Kyushu. A variety with yellowish-white sepals is called Clematis f. cremea and is found very rarely in its distribution area.

No. 1308 Clematis stans

This perennial herb has a slightly woody base to its stem. The stem is erect. The leaves are once-ternate compound leaves, with leaflets 4-13 cm long. Inflorescences are borne in cymose inflorescences at the tips of the stems and in the leaf axils. The flowers are downward-facing, narrowly bell-shaped with a tubular base, and are white to pale purple. The tips of each sepal are recurved. It is distributed in Honshu and grows in forest edges and grasslands.

No. 1309 Clematis florida

This is a climbing perennial herbaceous plant (Flora of China). The stems are about 1m long, with 4-6 shallow grooves, covered in downy hairs, and the nodes are swollen. The leaves are in 1-2 pairs, with petioles 2-4cm long, and leaf blades that are narrowly ovate to lanceolate, 1-6 x 0.4-2cm, papery, with very sparse scale-like to flaxen areas on both sides, a rounded or broadly wedge-shaped base, a rounded margin, a sharp apex, and nearly flat venation at the base. It flowers from April to June. The flowers are 3.6-5cm in diameter. The pedicels are 3.7-8.5cm long and densely covered in downy hairs. The sepals are 6 in number, white, elliptical to rhomboid, 2-3 x 1-1.5cm, with dense scales along the midrib on the outside, glossy on the outside, smooth margins, and sharply pointed tips. The anthers are oblong to linear, 2.5–3.5 mm long, with an obtuse apex. The stamens are 1–1.2 cm long, glossy, and pointed at the tip. The ovary is covered with downy hairs. The style is 3.5 mm long, densely glossy from the base to the middle, and glossy from the middle to the tip. The stamens are expanded, broadly elliptic to rhomboid, about 3.5 × 3 mm, glabrous. The stem is 8 mm long, with a base spreading with downy hairs and a tip covered with downy hairs. The capsule is sessile, broadly ovate to ovate-triangular, 1.4–3 cm long. This plant is very similar to Clematis terniflora, and many articles on the internet confuse the two, but it can be distinguished from Clematis terniflora by the presence of bracts on the pedicels. "Flora of China" also mentions that the flowers are axillary, with 1 (to 4) whorls, 2-bract inflorescences, and 1–2 flowers growing from the leaf axils or the tips of the current year's branches. It is native to China (Guangdong, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Yunnan, and Zhejiang provinces) and grows as a shrub, in woodlands, and along rivers at an altitude of approximately 1700m.

No.1310 Kazagurma Clematis patens

This is a perennial herbaceous woody vine (Flora of China). The stems are about 1m long, with 5-6 shallow grooves running lengthwise, and are sparsely covered with downy hairs. The leaves are usually trifoliate, sometimes pinnately compound or simple, with 3-5 leaflets. The petioles are 4-8cm long, and the leaf blades are ovate, narrowly ovate, or broadly lanceolate, 3-7 x 1.5-5cm, papery, with sparsely glossy veins on both surfaces or smooth along the axis, a rounded, truncate, broadly cuneate, or nearly cordate base, with a pointed or acute apex and slightly protruding basal veins. Flowering occurs from May to June, with solitary flowers at the tips of new shoots. The flowers are 7-12cm in diameter. The pedicels are sturdy, 3.5-10cm long, and glossy. The sepals are 5, 6, or 8 in number, white (the Kanagawa Prefectural Flora Survey Association (2018) states that the sepals are 6-8 in number and pale purple or white), elliptical, 3.5-6 × 1.5-3.5 cm, convex to concave outward along the central vein at the base, mucilaginous along the lateral veins at the base, glossy on the outside, and smooth on the margin. The anthers are linear, 6-8 mm, with an obtuse or pointed apex. The ovary is glossy. The stamens are about 9 mm long, densely covered with villous hairs from the base to the middle. The stamens are broadly ovate, 3.5-5 × 3-4.5 mm, with compressed cottony hairs, and the style is viscous, 3-3.8 cm long, with yellow cottony hairs. Fruiting occurs from June to July. It resembles Clematis terniflora, but can be distinguished by the absence of bracts on the pedicel. It is distributed in China (Liaoning, Shandong, and Zhejiang provinces), Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu), and South Korea, growing in forests, slopes, and the edges of shrublands at altitudes of 200 to 1000 meters. Because its flowers are beautiful, it easily catches people's attention, and wild specimens are gradually disappearing.

No.1310.a Clematis texensis

A herbaceous woody vine (Flora of North America). The stems are glossy, growing up to 3m, with glossy or sometimes ±coarse hairs near the nodes. The leaf blades are pinnate, with 6-10 leaflets plus a tail-like segment, ovate to nearly circular, non-lobed, 2-3 lobed, or closest to 3 lobed, 1-9 × 1-6cm, leathery, with a prominent reticulate pattern in the axial direction, the axial surface is usually glossy, sometimes coarsely glossy. Flowering occurs from spring to summer (March to June). Inflorescences are axillary, with 1-7 whorls. The flowers are ovate to urn-shaped, the sepals are red to scarlet on the outside and tip, ovate-lanceolate, 1.5-3cm, with blunt margins, thick, wrinkle-free, glossy, and the tip is recurved from the acupoint, glossy on the outside. The beak is 4-7cm and pinnate. Native to North America (only the southeastern part of the Edwards Plateau in Texas), it grows in forested areas, limestone cliffs, and riverbanks at elevations of 80-700 meters. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, being the only clematis species that produces red flowers. In Japan, it is sold under the name "Texensis," but there is a high possibility that these are hybrids.

References

Takahiko Hariyama, Masatsugu Shimomura, Yumi Yamahama, Yasuharu Takaku, and Tateo Shimosawa. 2013. Origin of high-intensity and ultraviolet reflection in Ranunculus japonicus. Journal of Polymer Science, Japan 70(5): 221-226. https://doi.org/10.1295/koron.70.221

Kanagawa Prefecture Flora Survey Association. 2018. Kanagawa Prefecture Flora 2018 (Electronic Edition). Kanagawa Prefecture Flora Survey Association, Odawara. 1803pp. ISBN: 9784991053726

Tsukamoto, Yotaro. 1994. Encyclopedia of Horticultural Plants, Compact Edition. Shogakukan, Tokyo. 3710pp. ISBN: 9784093051118

van der Kooi, CJ, Elzenga, JTM, Dijksterhuis, J., & Stavenga, DG 2017. Functional optics of glossy buttercup flowers. Journal of the Royal Society Interface 14(127): 20160933. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2016.0933

Nigella (Ilex crenata) and black cumin (Ilex crenata var. fragrans) are cultivated for ornamental and medicinal purposes in many countries around the world, and are now common in Japan, but they are two species that are very easily confused. Even searching on the internet will bring up many incorrect pictures. However, distinguishing between them is not actually difficult. They can be easily distinguished by examining the presence or absence of bracts on the flower and the shape of the leaves. Commercially, there is a clear difference in the uses of Ilex crenata and Ilex crenata var. fragrans: Ilex crenata is usually cultivated for ornamental purposes, while Ilex crenata var. fragrans is usually cultivated for medicinal purposes, for black cumin seeds and black cumin seed oil. The flowers of the Ilex genus have reduced petals and are composed of sepals. However, this does not mean that the petals are useless. They have a role as "false nectaries." There are two theories as to their use: one is that the "false nectaries" are used for "advertising," and the other is that they are used to "prevent nectar theft." There are still parts that have not been verified, but in any case, it can be said that they have undergone an interesting evolution. The fruit is a follicle and is likely dispersed by wind. This article will explain the classification, history, medicinal uses, pollination ecology, and seed dispersal of Ilex crenata and Ilex fragrans.

Two horticultural varieties whose names come from the fact that their seeds are black.

Nigella damascena, also known as black seed grass, is an annual plant distributed in Southern Europe, Cyprus, Southwest Africa, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in many countries around the world and has become naturalized in some areas. In Japan, it is thought to have been introduced around the end of the Edo period (Tsukamoto, 1994). The Japanese name and genus name come from the fact that its seeds are black. "Nigella" is the genus name and is frequently used in horticulture, but it is not recommended as it can be confused with fragrant black seed grass.

Nigella sativa, also known as black cumin, is an annual plant distributed in Southern Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia. Its seeds are cultivated worldwide as a spice, and it has naturalized in parts of Europe, North Africa, and eastern Myanmar. Its Japanese name comes from the spicy aroma of its seeds.

Both belong to the genus Nigella in the Ranunculaceae family and are sometimes cultivated, so they are very often confused. Even a Google image search for "fragrant black nutmeg" or " Nigella sativa " will only bring up incorrect images, confusing them with black nutmeg. It would be impossible to correctly identify the species with these results.

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #124] What are the species of the Ranunculaceae family? Photo list

The Ranunculaceae family mostly consists of perennial herbs, but some are annuals or biennials, and occasionally shrubs. Leaves can be alternate or opposite, and leaf shape varies considerably. Flowers are radially or bilaterally symmetrical, and many have sepals that resemble petals. Some petals are missing...

ecological-information.com

What is the difference between *Ilex crenata* and *Ilex fragrans*?

Ilex crenata and Ilex fragrans look very different and are not typically confused.

The biggest difference is the flowers (Riedle & Nasir, 1991).

In *Ilex crenata*, the flowers have distinct involucral bracts that resemble finely divided leaves, whereas in *Ilex fragrans*, there are no involucral bracts.

The term "involucral bracts" might be a little confusing, but here it refers to the thin, green, leaf-shaped structures that surround the flower directly below it. These are present in *Ilex crenata*, but not in *Ilex fragrans*.

The leaves are also different.

In *Ilex crenata*, the stems and leaves are finely divided, and the lobes are thin and thread-like, whereas in *Ilex crenata*, the leaves are finely divided, and the lobes are linear, but not thread-like.

There are also differences in the seeds (Benazzouz-Smail et al., 2023).

In *Irotana nigra*, the seeds are relatively small, ridged, rounded, and have a sweet scent somewhat similar to strawberries, while in *Irotana fragrans*, the seeds are slightly larger, less ridged, pointed, have a pleasant camphor-like scent, and are slightly bitter.

What are the differences in uses between Ilex crenata and Ilex serrata? What are the effects of black cumin seeds?

Are there any differences in the uses of *Ilex crenata* and *Ilex fragrans*?

As mentioned above, black cumin is also known as black cumin, and its seeds are called black cumin seeds. Furthermore, the essential oil extracted from the seeds is called black cumin seed oil.

Black cumin is not commonly cultivated in gardens in Japan; it is better known for its black cumin seeds and black cumin seed oil.

Black cumin seeds and black cumin seed oil have been widely used for centuries to treat various diseases around the world. They are also known as important medicines in traditional Indian medicine such as Unani medicine and Ayurveda (Ahmad et al., 2013). Among Muslims, they came to be considered a panacea because the Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Islamic prophet Muhammad) mentions that "black seeds are a cure for all diseases except death."

While it's certainly an exaggeration to call it a cure-all, it has indeed been traditionally used in Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East to treat a wide range of disorders, diseases, and symptoms related to the respiratory, digestive, urinary, cardiovascular, and immune systems, as well as for food, demonstrating its broad range of uses.

Specifically, black cumin seed oil is used for inflammatory diseases associated with asthma, bronchitis, and rheumatism, while tinctures prepared from black cumin seeds are effective for indigestion, loss of appetite, diarrhea, edema, amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea, and are also used to treat insect bites and skin rashes. For external use, black cumin seed oil is used as a preservative and local anesthetic. Roasted black cumin seeds are taken orally to stop vomiting.

Scientific research is progressing, and it is being shown that it can be used for a wide variety of purposes, including as a diuretic, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anticancer, immunomodulator, analgesic, antibacterial, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, bronchodilator, gastric protectant, hepatoprotective, renal protectant, antioxidant, liver tonic, digestive aid, antidiarrheal, appetite stimulant, and menstrual gouache. However, it is still not well understood how much can be taken orally by humans and how effective it is, so a calm and objective evaluation is necessary.

Most of these effects are thought to be due to a component called thymoquinone (30-48%). Other components include thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, p-cymene (7-15%), carvacrol (6-12%), 4-terpineol (2-7%), t-acetol (1-4%), sesquiterpene longifolene (1-8%), α-pinene, and thymol. Trace amounts of isoquinoline alkaloids such as nigerycimin and nigerycimin-N-oxide, pyrazole alkaloids such as nigerydin and nigerycin, and alkaloids with an indazole ring are also present. Furthermore, the seeds contain α-hederin, a water-soluble pentacyclic triterpene, and saponins, which have anticancer properties.

Seeds are composed of protein (26.71 TP3T), lipids (28.51 TP3T), and carbohydrates (24.91 TP3T). The lipids are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, mainly linoleic acid (50-601 TP3T), oleic acid (201 TP3T), eicodadienoic acid (31 TP3T), and dihomolinoleic acid (101 TP3T).

In modern times, complementary and alternative medicine (medicine that complements or replaces Western medicine) is widely used to treat various illnesses such as bronchitis, asthma, diarrhea, rheumatism, and skin diseases.

Furthermore, because of its very low toxicity, it is also used in foods such as bread and pickle flavorings.

Although it is not very well known in Japan, if further research is conducted and its optimal applications are identified, it may be used in Western medicine as well.

On the other hand, while Ilex crenata is more famous for being cultivated as an ornamental plant, it is thought to have almost the same medicinal properties as Ilex serrata and has been used in traditional medicine (Benazzouz-Smail et al., 2023).

My research didn't reveal why *Ilex crenata* didn't become more widespread for that purpose, but it's possible that the seeds of *Ilex crenata* can be used as a spice, or that there are issues with cultivation or efficiency.

Are flowers of the *Nitella* genus composed of sepals rather than petals?

Both *Ilex crenata* and *Ilex fragrans* bloom from May to July.

Flowers of the genus *Ilex crenata* share a common characteristic: the sepals resemble petals. In the wild species, there are usually five single petals, but there are also double-flowered varieties with six to ten petals. The sepals can be white, blue, or purplish-red. When mature, the numerous stamens grow slightly downward, and the five pistils are fused at the base, with their tips also drooping downwards.

Why do they create false nectar glands? The "advertising" theory.

By the way, what happened to the true petals of the *Nitella* genus? Did they degenerate and disappear?

Interestingly, the vestigial true petals have become "nectary scales" with bifurcated tips, located above the sepals.

However, this may not be seen in double-flowered varieties of *Ilex crenata* (I cannot confirm this in my photos).

The "nectar gland-like scales" are located at the base of the calyx and pistil, and are conspicuous, being yellow or green depending on the species. It would seem logical to assume that nectar is secreted from these scales.

However, these nectar-like scales themselves do not secrete nectar. Such structures are also called "pseudonectaries," and the true nectaries are located inside the nectar-like scales. Only insects with a mouthpart of the appropriate length, suited to the distance to the true nectaries, can extend their mouthparts and drink the nectar.

So why go to the trouble of creating a structure called a pseudonectary, taking such a roundabout approach?

According to research by a Chinese research group, the nectar-like scales of the pseudonectaries in *Ilex crenata* reflect ultraviolet light, making them appear very vivid to insects that can see ultraviolet light, and attracting mainly honeybees and bumblebees (Liao et al., 2020).

The attracted bee rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, touching the stamens and pistils hanging from its back, thus pollinating the flower. In other words, the false nectar gland is used as an "advertisement" to let insects know that there is food available, making it visible from a distance.

On the other hand, there is also a completely different theory: "to prevent honey theft."

However, there is a completely different perspective. It is known that some pollinating insects only try to suck the nectar (i.e., they steal nectar). Typical examples include butterflies and bumblebees. If these insects target the plants of the Nigella genus, the plants will naturally lose out as only the nectar is sucked, pollination will not occur, and they will suffer a loss.

In such cases, the presence of false nectaries may deceive these nectar-stealing insects, preventing them from sucking nectar from the real nectaries. This prevents them from stealing only the nectar.

Of these two theories, the most recent research on *Ilex crenata* supports the former, but the latter is still not well understood.

These are not mutually exclusive, and it's quite possible that one possesses both functions.

In any case, it seems they employ strategies that are not easily noticed by humans. Nectar-like scales are also present in *Ilex crenata*, and it is known that many honeybees visit it (Suchetana et al., 2013; Abrar et al., 2017).

The fruit is a follicle, and the seeds are probably wind-dispersed.

The fruit is a follicle, which is oval-spherical in *Ilex crenata* and rounded rectangle in *Ilex fragrans*. It consists of a single carpel (a leaf-like element that makes up the pistil) and is filled with seeds. As it matures, the pericarp dries out and splits open along a single line.

The seeds of both Ilex crenata and Ilex fragrans are small and black. Ilex crenata seeds are slightly smaller, ridged, rounded, and have a sweet scent somewhat similar to strawberries, while Ilex fragrans seeds are slightly larger, less ridged, pointed, and have a pleasant camphor-like scent with a slight bitterness.

The seed dispersal of the genus *Ilex crenata* is not well understood (Uğurlu Aydın & Dönmez, 2019), but for *Ilex crenata* and *Ilex fragrans*, the seeds are small, black, and not conspicuous to animals, so it is reasonable to assume that the seeds that spill out of the fruit are carried away by the wind.

I have actually seen blackberry growing from between the asphalt. There were no other blackberries to be seen nearby, which suggests that if someone didn't plant them intentionally, then it wasn't simply dispersed by gravity.

References

Abrar, M., Ahmad, S., Saboor, N., Spogmay, N. 2017. Insect pollinators and their relative abundance on black cumin. Nigella sativa L. At Dera Ismail Khan. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 5(5): 1252-1258. ISSN: 2349-6800, https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/?year=2017&vol=5&issue=5&ArticleId=2462

Ahmad, A., Husain, A., Mujeeb, M., Khan, SA, Najmi, AK, Siddique, NA, … & Anwar, F. 2013. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 3(5): 337-352. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60075-1

Benazzouz-Smail, L., Achat, S., Brahmi, F., Bachir-Bey, M., Arab, R., Lorenzo, JM, … & Madani, K. 2023. Biological Properties, Phenolic Profile, and Botanical Aspect of Nigella sativa L. and Nigella damascena L. Seeds: A Comparative Study. Molecules 28(2): 571. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28020571

Liao, H., Fu, X., Zhao, H., Cheng, J., Zhang, R., Yao, X., Duan, X., Shan, H & Kong, H. 2020. The morphology, molecular development and ecological function of pseudonectaries on Nigella damascena (Ranunculaceae) petals. Nature Communications 11(1): 1-11. ISSN: 2041-1723, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-15658-2

Riedle, H., & Nasir, YJ 1991. Ranunculaceae. In: Ali, SI, & Nasir, YJ (Eds.), Flora of Pakistan No. 193 (pp.1-157). PanGraphics. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=122301

Suchetana, M., Aninda, M., Sudha, G., & Datta, AK 2013. Pollination events in Nigella sativa L. (Black cumin). International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy 4(3): 342-344. ISSN: 2277-4343, https://doi.org/10.7897/2277-4343.04307

Tsukamoto, Yotaro. 1994. Encyclopedia of Horticultural Plants, Compact Edition. Shogakukan, Tokyo. 3710pp. ISBN: 9784093051118

Uğurlu Aydın, Z., & Dönmez, AA 2019. Numerical analyzes of seed morphology and its taxonomic significance in the tribe Nigelleae (Ranunculaceae). Nordic Journal of Botany 37(5): e02323. https://doi.org/10.1111/njb.02323

Source

This article is a significantly expanded version of a piece included in the following book.