Ecological Notes Web

What are the differences between cucumber grass, water hyacinth, and flowering flower? How do they differ from forget-me-nots and wild purple flowers? This article explains how to distinguish between similar species.

Both *Myosotis scorpioides* and *Myosotis alpestris* belong to the genus *Myosotis* in the family Boraginaceae, and are biennial herbs characterized by entire leaves, scorpion-shaped inflorescences, blue corollas, and the presence of appendages. *Myosotis scorpioides*, in particular, is well-known and popular for its pretty blue flowers that bloom in spring. *Myosotis scorpioides* and...

2024.04.09

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What are the differences between common chickweed, green chickweed, and cow chickweed? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! There are even differences in their survival strategies!?

Common chickweed, green chickweed, and large chickweed all belong to the genus Stellaria in the family Caryophyllaceae, and are representative Japanese weeds that can almost certainly be found if you observe roadsides. In Japan, they are one of the seven spring herbs and are familiar to people as they are eaten in seven-herb rice porridge. However, these three species are usually referred to simply as "chickweed"...

2024.04.08

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ミミナグサとオランダミミナグサの違いは？ハコベ類との違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説

ミミナグサとオランダミミナグサはいずれもナデシコ科ミミナグサ属に含まれ、路傍に生える春を代表する「雑草」として極めて一般的な植物でしょう。しかし、2種を正確に区別できている人は少ないかもしれません。2種を区別をするには場合によっては細かく観...

2024.04.07

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ユスラウメ・ニワウメ・ニワザクラの違いは？ウメ・サクラとの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説

ユスラウメ・ニワウメ・ニワザクラはいずれもバラ科スモモ属に含まれ、低木でありながら春にウメやサクラのような綺麗な花を咲かせることから園芸で人気の樹木です。食用にもできることも知られています。しかし、見た目がかなり似ており、混同してしまう人が...

2024.04.03

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ハマダイコン・ハナダイコン・ショカツサイ（オオアラセイトウ）の違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説

ハマダイコン・ハナダイコン（ハナスズシロ）・ショカツサイ（オオアラセイトウ）はいずれもアブラナ科に含まれ、名前に「ダイコン」が含まれることがあり、観賞用・食用いずれかの目的で栽培され、野生化したこともある草本です。紫系統の十字花を付ける点が...

2024.03.29

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トキワサンザシ・カザンデマリ・タチバナモドキの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説！ピラカンサがレンジャク類の突然死の原因になるというのは嘘？

トキワサンザシ・カザンデマリ・タチバナモドキはいずれもバラ科トキワサンザシ属に含まれ、冬につける鮮やかな赤い果実が特徴的で観賞用に頻繁に栽培されますが、園芸では属名からこの仲間を総称して「ピラカンサ（ピラカンタ）」または「ピラカンサス」とあ...

2024.03.26

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クロガネモチ・モチノキ・ソヨゴ・ナナミノキの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説

クロガネモチ・モチノキ・ソヨゴ・ナナミノキはいずれもモチノキ科モチノキ属に含まれ、照葉樹林に生えるだけでなく、公園や庭で頻繁に植樹されているのを見かけ、日本で極めて身近で一般的な常緑高木であると言えるでしょう。厚い葉や美しい赤い果実が共通し...

2024.03.25

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ナズナ・マメグンバイナズナ・イヌナズナ・シロイヌナズナの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説

ナズナ・マメグンバイナズナ・イヌナズナ・シロイヌナズナはいずれもアブラナ科に含まれ、その中でも「ナズナ」という名前がつく日本の代表的な雑草です。早春に開花し、早々に平べったい果実をつける点が特徴です。しかし、有名ではあるものの、これら4種の...

2024.03.22

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What are the differences between Oubai (Japanese jasmine) and Oubaimodoki (Yunnan jasmine)? How do they differ from Chimonanthus praecox (winter jasmine)? This article explains how to distinguish between similar species.

Both *Jasminum praecox* (yellow jasmine) and *Jasminum yunnanense* (false jasmine) belong to the genus *Jasminum* in the family Oleaceae, and are native to China, cultivated for ornamental purposes. Their distinctive feature is the yellow flowers that bloom even in winter, which is likely one of the reasons for their popularity. However, they share many similar characteristics, leading to frequent confusion...

2024.03.21

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What are the differences between wild strawberries, Japanese wild strawberries, and large wild strawberries? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! It's surprisingly difficult to tell them apart!

Strawberry (Potentilla indica), Japanese wild strawberry (Potentilla fragarioides), and common wild strawberry (Potentilla indica) all belong to the genus Potentilla in the Rosaceae family. They are known as representative spring weeds in Japan, characterized by their creeping stems that spread along the ground. Occasionally, they are referred to as "wild strawberries" along with other members of the Rubus genus...

2024.03.20

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