Benten or Himiko

[Shoreguy]

Both pictures of same plant. Top picture from 2 years ago.

What is the difference between Benten and Himiko?

I suspect that one of the reasons that Benten is not registered is because of its similarity to Himiko.

[Ray]

No pics

[Hakumin]

What color are the active root tips on your plant?

The most obvious difference between Benten and Himiko is that Benten has green root green stem, while Himiko has green to pale mud stem and mud root.

The muddying anthocyanin pigmentation on Himiko can be very pale, but Benten shouldn't have any pigmentation at all. They're very similar otherwise.

[Shoreguy]

Hakumin,

I don't recall the root tip color. My answer will have to wait till the root tips start growing this Spring.

Currently the stem is yellowish with a slight hint of brown which may indicate Himiko but for a definitive answer, I believe I must wait.

The picture from two years ago seems to have a slightly muddy stem. It might just be the lighting or my camera. I am starting to suspect Himiko.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

Currently the stem is yellowish with a slight hint of brown which may indicate Himiko but for a definitive answer, I believe I must wait.

The picture from two years ago seems to have a slightly muddy stem. It might just be the lighting or my camera. I am starting to suspect Himiko.

Can I ask why you are second guessing the original label on the plant?

In the photos you've posted of the plant, I don't see anything that I recognize as anthocyanin pigmentation.

Here's a clear photo of a Benten stem:


Here's a clear photo of a Himiko stem:


On the Himiko stem you can see the streak of anthocyanin pigmentation at the base of the stem at the very bottom two leaf sheaths. That is what the anthocyanin pigmentation on Himiko will look like. You can also see the streak of anthocyanin at the base of one of the upper leaves.

You do have to look closely though. Anthocyanin pigmentation will be reddish, becoming a muddy brown when mixed with the chlorophyll in the leaf. Sometimes old leaf tissue, especially on the thin edge of the sheaths, will also look slightly brownish but not caused by anthocyanin pigmentation.

[Shoreguy]

The plant was not sold to me by a commercial grower, but an individual on eBay.

The two varieties are so similar that I believe could contribute to errors and with limited access to pictures of both, especially Benten, I was curious as to the difference between them. From limited sources, I thought that Benten leaves were proportionally wider and more curved.

As far as my plant, there are suspicious dark colorings at the base, but not as clearly defined as the picture of the himiko shown by you. Even visually, as opposed to photograph, the darkness cannot be distinguished between anthocyanin and leaf necrosis.

[Shoreguy]

Originally Posted by Hakumin

The most obvious difference between Benten and Himiko is that Benten has green root green stem, while Himiko has green to pale mud stem and mud root.

The muddying anthocyanin pigmentation on Himiko can be very pale, but Benten shouldn't have any pigmentation at all. They're very similar otherwise.

The very tip of the root has a slight darkening so could it still be considered green and therefore Benten? As stated above, Himiko can be very pale so perhaps it could go either way. I have other Neos with 100% pure beautiful green tips such as Suisen and this certainly differs from those.

[Shoreguy]

See anthocyanin at root tips.