Ecological Notes Web

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #005] What are the species of the Welwitschia family? Photo list

The family Welwitschiaceae includes only one extant species found in southwestern Africa. Fossil evidence indicates that plants of the Welwitschiaceae family existed in South America during the Early Cretaceous (Mesozoic) period, including the Arapaima basin in northeastern Brazil...

2022.07.16

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #004] What are the species of the Ephedra family? Photo list

The Ephedraceae family generally consists of shrubs, sometimes vines, and rarely small trees. It includes only the genus Ephedra. It is distributed across southwestern North America, southern Europe, northern Africa, southwestern and central Asia, northern China, and western South America, and is widely found in arid regions. Temperate regions...

2022.07.15

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #003] What are the species of the Ginkgo family? Photo list

The Ginkgoaceae family consists of deciduous trees. The leaves are flattened and spread out, with veins repeatedly branching dichotomously from the base of the petiole, becoming parallel veins that reach the upper leaf margin. They are dioecious; male flowers bear numerous anthers on a slender stalk. Female flowers typically have two ovules facing upwards at the end of the pedicel. Fertilization occurs...

2022.07.14

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

[Seed Plant Encyclopedia #001] What are the species of the Cycadaceae family? Photo list

The family Cycadaceae is a family of plants belonging to the order Cycadales in the class Cycadae. All extant species are evergreen woody plants. The leaves are pinnately compound, with long, pointed leaflets. Numerous leaves grow at the tip of the stem, with the base remaining on the stem. The family is dioecious, with flowers borne terminally or laterally on the stem. The stamens (microsporophylls) are scale-like...

2022.07.13

Seed Plant Encyclopedia

How dangerous is the poison in oleanders? Why are they a symbol of peace in Hiroshima? The oleander flower, which doesn't secrete nectar, mimics an endangered species!?

Oleander is a common ornamental tree found in various locations throughout Japan, such as in parks and as street trees. However, it originally thrives in the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia. While there are various theories, it's said that 5 to 15 leaves are a lethal dose, and although extremely rare, there have been reports of poisoning in Japan. Furthermore, the smoke from burning oleander is also toxic...

2022.07.12

plant

The mysterious fly known as the bee-like hoverfly, which is born and lives on tree sap, can it sting? Is it harmful?

Are you familiar with the hoverfly known as the false bee hoverfly? At first glance, it looks exactly like a bee, but hoverflies are actually a type of fly, so they won't sting you and are harmless. Its bright colors are thought to be a form of mimicry. Although it's actually a type of hoverfly...

2022.07.06

animal

What are the differences between persimmon (Diospyros kaki), Japanese persimmon (Diospyros serrata), and mountain persimmon (Diospyros margaritacea)? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Where are they native to? What's the difference between astringent and sweet persimmons? What insects visit the flowers? Who eats them in nature?

The Japanese persimmon (kaki) has been cultivated in Japan since ancient times and is a fruit and plant strongly associated with Japanese culture. While closely related species exist, the Japanese persimmon is easily distinguishable by the size of its fruit. However, when distinguishing by leaves alone, it resembles the Japanese dwarf persimmon (Diospyros kaki), the Ryukyu dwarf persimmon (Diospyros ryukyuensis), and the evergreen persimmon (Diospyros kaki), and subtle differences...

2022.07.02

plant

What are the species of moths in the family Zygaenidae? Are they poisonous? Are they harmful? What is the purpose of their bright colors?

The Zygae family, exemplified by species like the firefly moth and the bamboo grass moth, is known for its bright, diurnal colors. But do you know why they have such striking colors? It turns out they possess a powerful poison that produces cyanide, and these colors serve as a "warning signal"...

2022.06.28

animal

What's the difference between mountain azaleas and rhododendrons? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Research has revealed that bumblebees are also essential for flowers that are supposedly specialized in attracting butterflies!

The Japanese azalea (Rhododendron kaempferi) is a representative species of wild azalea in Japan, while the Japanese azalea (Rhododendron molle) is famous for being poisonous. Both belong to the Rhododendron genus of the Ericaceae family and are representative species of red wild azaleas, so you might get them confused. However, you can distinguish them by checking the shape of their leaves and how the flowers are arranged. These two species...

2022.06.21

plant

What kind of dragonfly is a "red dragonfly"? Why does it turn red? Why does the common skimmer dragonfly turn blue? Two scientific reasons have been revealed. It turns out it's actually "sunscreen"!?

The "red dragonfly" is a creature so familiar to Japanese people that it even has its own children's song. The group commonly referred to as "red dragonfly" is a general term for dragonflies whose males turn red. Taxonomically, it's not a single group but rather a collective term for several separate groups, such as the Sympetrum and Scarlet Skimmer genera.

2022.06.17

animal