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What's the difference between hops and hummus? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Which one is the real fruit?

Hops (Humulus hummus) and Humulus japonicus are both perennial herbs belonging to the genus Humulus in the family Cannabaceae, and as their scientific names suggest, they are varieties of each other. Hops are probably best known as an ingredient in beer. Both varieties have leaves that are either undivided or 3- to 5-lobed, and the female...
2023.08.23
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plant

What are the differences between wild beans, wild beans, and soybeans? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Both wild soybean (Amphicarpaea rhynchophylla) and climbing soybean (Glycine soja) are annual vines belonging to the legume family. In Japan, they grow in very similar environments such as embankments, grasslands, and forest edges. Their trifoliate compound leaves are also similar in shape, which can lead to confusion. However, there are differences at the genus level, and these differences are clearly evident in the leaves, flowers, and fruits...
2023.08.22
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What are the differences between *Persicaria filiformis*, *Persicaria thunbergii*, and *Persicaria filiformis*? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

*Persicaria filiformis*, *Persicaria thunbergii*, and *Persicaria filiformis* are all perennial herbs belonging to the genus *Persicaria* in the rose family, and in Japan they grow in forest edges and other similar areas. Their most distinctive features are the hook-shaped thorns beneath the calyx and their fruits, which are burrs that stick to surfaces. These two species, as their names suggest, differ primarily in their overall size...
2023.08.21
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plant

What are the differences between Crocosmia gracilis, Crocosmia gracilis, and Crocosmia japonica? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Both *Crocosmia crocosmia* (also known as *Trocosmia crocosmia*) and *Montbretia* (also known as *Trocosmia crocosmia*) belong to the genus *Trocosmia* in the Iridaceae family and are perennial plants native to Africa. They are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants, share the common characteristics of having underground bulbs and producing red flowers, and are often confused...
2023.08.20
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plant

What are the differences between Liriope muscari, Liriope japonica, and Liriope serrata? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Liriope muscari, Liriope japonica, and Liriope serrata are all evergreen perennial herbs belonging to the genus Liriope in the family Asparagaceae, growing in forests. They are cultivated as ornamental plants and are often confused with each other due to their similar-looking flowers and leaves. Distinguishing between them is difficult, but recording the leaf width, number of flowers, and flower stalk length can help...
2023.08.17
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plant

What are the differences between Parnassia palustris, Parnassia japonica, and Parnassia japonica? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! What are the structures of their flowers and fruits?

Parnassia palustris, Parnassia japonica, and Parnassia japonica are all perennial herbs belonging to the genus Parnassia in the family Celastraceae. Their names are similar, and their leaves and flowers are morphologically alike, which can sometimes make identification difficult. These three species can be distinguished primarily by the number of lobes in the staminodes of the flower...
2023.08.16
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plant

What are the differences between Malabar spinach, Okinawa spinach (also known as red spinach), and New Zealand spinach? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Malabar spinach (Tsurumurasaki) and Okinawa spinach (Okawakame/Akazakazura) are both climbing herbs belonging to the Basellaceae family, cultivated for ornamental and edible purposes. They share many similarities, such as having thick, oval-shaped leaves that are green on both the upper and lower surfaces, and because they are relatively minor species, they can be difficult to distinguish. However, Malabar spinach...
2023.08.15
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plant

What are the differences between basil, sweet basil, holy basil, and lemon basil? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar varieties! What are the structures of their flowers and fruits?

Basil, sweet basil, holy basil, and lemon basil all belong to the Ocimum genus of the Lamiaceae family, are native to Asia, and share the common characteristic of having edible leaves. Therefore, many people may not know the differences in their shapes or uses. When we say "basil," we are generally referring to all members of the Ocimum genus of the Lamiaceae family...
2023.08.14
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plant

What are the differences between Ipomoea quamoclit, Ipomoea quamoclit, Ipomoea quamoclit, and Ipomoea quamoclit? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! What are the structures of their flowers and fruits?

Ipomoea quamoclit, Ipomoea quamoclit, Ipomoea quamoclit, and Ipomoea quamoclit all belong to the Ipomoea genus of the Convolvulaceae family. These climbing annuals, native to tropical America, were cultivated as ornamental plants in Japan and have since become naturalized...
2023.08.12
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plant

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

Lantana (Lantana camtschatica) and Lantana camtschatica var. japonica both belong to the genus Lantana in the family Verbenaceae, and are evergreen shrubs characterized above all by their colorful and showy flowers. In Japan, both are frequently planted and can also be found growing wild. Therefore, it can sometimes be confusing to distinguish between them...
2023.08.11
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