Fake "Qingxiangmu" (aromatic wood) mint too? Learn to tell real from fake and avoid getting ripped off

Common mint differences

When summer comes, many gardening enthusiasts buy a few pots of mint, but although they are all called mint, do you know what kind of mint you bought, whether it can be eaten, and what benefits it has?

There are 4 common kinds of mint on the market: peppermint, spearmint, lemon mint, and catnip

1. Peppermint

Peppermint leaves are relatively thin, pointed, and long, the leaf surface is relatively smooth, the veins are herringbone-shaped and radiating, and the taste is rather pungent, so it is suitable as a cooking spice

2. Spearmint

Also called green mint, it is a relatively common mint variety. The leaves are dark in color and uneven, the leaf tips of old leaves are not obvious, the leaf tips of new leaves are obvious, and the scent is strong. It is generally used as a dessert garnish

3. Lemon mint

Lemon mint is the mint variety most easily confused with others. It looks no different from spearmint, and the main difference is the smell. If you pinch the leaves of lemon mint, you will smell a lemon scent, or a soapy smell

4. Catnip

The biggest feature of catnip is that the leaves have little white fuzz. It also has a fragrance, and cats go "crazy" as soon as they smell it

Differences between rose, Chinese rose, and climbing rose

Although they are all in the Rosaceae family, the prices of rose, Chinese rose, and climbing rose are different. Many of the "roses" on the market now are no longer true roses. Can you tell them apart?

1. Rose and Chinese rose

The difference between rose and Chinese rose is mainly in the branches. Chinese rose leaves are large, with 3-5 leaflets growing together, and the thorns on the branches are large and hooked backward; rose has many leaves, with 5-9 leaflets growing together, obvious leaf veins, and densely packed small thorns on the branches

Most of the "roses" in flower shops now are cut-flower Chinese roses. Their flower shapes are attractive and they are easy to propagate, which is why they can meet market demand. For example, the ever-popular red rose is actually the Chinese rose Carola

2. Chinese rose and climbing rose

Most Chinese roses bloom in multiple seasons and can bloom several times a year, and their flower shapes are also larger and more beautiful. Climbing roses bloom only once a year, the flowers are relatively small, and they generally bloom in clusters

Qingxiangmu and pepperwood

I believe many gardening enthusiasts have bought Qingxiangmu. In fact, most of the Qingxiangmu on the market is fake pepperwood. The two are worlds apart, and are not even close relatives

1. Qingxiangmu

Qingxiangmu belongs to the genus Coptis. New leaves turn red, and the leaf tip has 2 leaflets, forming a "Y" shape. Qingxiangmu has a fragrance and can be used to extract essential oil, and its leaves and bark can also be used as medicine

2. Pepperwood

Pepperwood belongs to the genus Zanthoxylum. Its leaves are relatively small and glossy, and the leaf tip has only 1 leaflet. Apart from greening the environment, pepperwood has little value. Almost all the Qingxiangmu on the market is actually this

Lover's tears and string of pearls

Many succulent growers mix up lover's tears and string of pearls. Although both are trailing succulents, their appearance is still very different

1. Lover's tears

The leaves of lover's tears are pointy. If you grow them plump, there will still be a small point

2. String of pearls

String of pearls, of course, is round like beads. Although it also has a small point, overall it is still round

After reading this

Can all you gardening enthusiasts tell them apart now?

Next time you buy these plants

Be sure to remember this