Japanese Chaff Flower (Achyranthes Bidentata) イノコヅチ（猪子槌）

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Japanese chaff flower (Achyranthes) is native to east Asia and can be found across Japan. The Achyranthes is divided into two types in Japan as follows:

Scientific name	Japanese name	Translation of Japanese name
Achyranthes bidentata var. fauriei	Hinata inokoduchi	Achyranthes in the sun
Achyranthes bidentata var. japonica	Hikage inokoduchi	Achyranthes in the shade

The one in these photos is Achyranthes bidentata var. fauriei.

Achyranthes fruits stick to clothing, so they're called "hittsuki mushi," which translates into "sticking bug" in Japanese.

2026/8/29

Confederate Rose (Hibiscus Mutabilis cv. Versicolor) スイフヨウ（酔芙蓉）

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These are Confederate roses (Hibiscus mutabilis cv. versicolor) and the first five photos are of one flower, taken at 10:00, 12:30, 15:30 and 16:30 on 16 September 2024 and at 5:30 on the following morning. Because of such a color change from pure white in the morning to pink in the afternoon, this type of Confederate roses is called "drunken Confederate rose" in Japan.

The sixth and the last ones are red and white marbled. Some Japanese apricot trees produce such colored flowers but (I believe that) a Confederate rose tree producing such flowers is quite unusual. White apricot trees don't exist but red ones produce white or red/white marbled flowers when they cannot produce enough anthocyanins to make flowers red. The same may apply to this hibiscus tree. 

If you want to see peach, Japanese apricot, or lespedeza having white, pink/red or marble-colored flowers on a tree, read the following posts: 

- Red & White Marble Colored Flowering Peach

- Half & Half Colored Japanese Apricot (White & Pink)!

- Lespedeza Japonica Bailey cv. Versicolor (Variegated Bush Clover)

10:00 a.m., 2024/9/16

Red Ring Skirt (Hestina Assimilis) アカボシゴマダラ（赤星胡麻斑）

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The red ring skirt (Hestina assimilis) can be found in east Asia, including Japan. The butterfly is beautiful but designated as a quarantine pest under Japan's Plant Protection Law.

I found this one at 9:30 on a Saturday morning on my way from home and found it again at 11:30 on my way home.   

2026/8/29

White-Banded Hunter Hawkmoth (Theretra Oldenlandiae) セスジスズメ（背筋雀）

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Impatiens hawkmoths or white-banded hunter hawkmoths (Theretra oldenlandia) can be found across Japan. Their caterpillars are beautifully black with a stark contrast with orange spots at first and turn brownish before burrowing into the ground and pupating. The adults are cool, looking like fighter aircrafts, and can be found from May to October in Japan.   

2026/8/25

2026/8/5

Common Straight Swift (Parnara Guttata) イチモンジセセリ（一文字挵）

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The common straight swift (Parnara guttata) can be found across, and is loved in, Japan. Moths open wings when resting while most butterflies rest with their wings closed but common straight swift butterflies sometimes rest with open wings to absorb the warmth of the sun, thanks to which I've learned that their back is green (scroll down). Also scroll down to see an ant carrying a dead common straight swift.  

The common straight swift's Japanese name is "ichimonji seseri," which translates into "straight line skipper" after its white spots in a straight line while small branded swift (Pelopidas mathias), which has white spots in a circle, has a Japanese name "chabane seseri," which translates into "brown wing skipper."   

I really love common straight swift butterflies for their squirrel-like cute eyes. 

2026/8/25

2026/8/16

Mixed Color Morning Glories 混合色の朝顔（アサガオ）

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These are mixed color morning glories. Every color is so beautiful. Morning glories are very popular in Japan. Elementary schools grow morning glories in summer to teach students about plants (I was one such student!) and many municipalities hold morning glory festivals in summer.

You may believe that the plant name morning glory was given because the flowers open in the morning, but that's not true. Morning glory goes to sleep as it gets dark and wakes up (i.e., the flower opens) after nine hours of sleep. They live healthy lives!😉

2026/8/19

Skunkvine (Paederia Foetida) 屁糞葛（ヘクソカズラ）

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Skunkvine (Paederia foetida) is native to Asia and can be found across Japan. The perception of the plant in Japan is it's smelly (as in other countries), so its Japanese name is "hé kuso kazura," which translates into "fart shxx vine." The plant is also so hardy that an imperial court official in the Nara period (710-794) composed a waka poem that he wanted to work hardily like the plant. The poem is included in The Manyōshū, i.e., the oldest extant collection of Japanese waka poetry compiled during that period. 

Despite such a terrible name and the smell, however, the flower's glossy red center always reminds me of jam thumbprint cookies. 

2026/8/14

Shrimp Plant (Justicia Brandegeeana) コエビソウ（小海老草）

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Shrimp plants are native to Mexico, came to Japan in 1931 (according to some websites), and are now grown nationwide. Their Japanese name is "koebi sou," which translates into "shrimp plant," exactly the same. 

2026/8/23

Pale Grass Blue (Pseudozizeeria Maha) 大和小灰蝶（ヤマトシジミ）

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A male pale grass blue (Pseudozizeeria maha) butterfly looks completely different when its wings are open (1st photo) and closed (2nd photo). When closed, you may disregard it because it's plain, just a small white butterfly with black spots. When the wings are open, however, you would be surprised by the beautiful pale blue of the upper side of its wings as suggested by the name. (If you want to see the butterfly showing both sides, see the 3rd photo.) Butterflies are known to open their wings to bask in the sun to warm their bodies, so you're more likely to see the beautiful blue in autumn than summer.   

The pale grass blue resembles the plains cupid (Luthrodes pandava) very much except for the latter having orange spots on the wings. I once mistook a plains cupid for a pale grass blue.   

2025/11/2

2026/8/23

Small Copper (Lycaena Phlaeas) ベニシジミ（紅小灰蝶）

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The small copper (Lycaena phlaeas) flies from March to November in Japan, so it's not unusual to see them but it was my first time to see them, not one but two! Their orange forewings caught my eye. The butterfly's coloration changes slightly across seasons; spring broods are typically brighter while summer ones become darker and more muted. I can't say for sure but one of them seems like a spring brood and the other a summer one. Scroll down to see the two together in a photo.  

2026/7/12

2026/7/1

Queen Coralbead (Cocculus Trilobus) アオツヅラフジ（青葛藤）

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Queen coralbead (Cocculus trilobus) is native to east Asia and can be found across Japan, producing tiny cream flowers from July to August and fruits in autumn. The fruits are green at first but turn deep purple, which look like smaller blueberries but are toxic. 

2026/8/20