Even though they are superficially similar in appearance, it is relatively easy to distinguish Japanese Hops from Humulus lupulus (American Hops). Japanese Hops has leaves with mostly 5-7 lobes, while American Hops has leaves with 3 lobes or none. Because of the color of its sepals and branches, the staminate inflorescence of Japanese Hops is often pale red in appearance, while the staminate inflorescence of American Hops is usually pale yellow. The pistillate spikes of Japanese Hops are globoid in shape and they have recurved deltoid bracts (triangular-shaped with slender tips that bend backward) that are hairy. In contrast, the pistillate spikes of American Hops are ovoid in shape and they have hairless ovate bracts with blunt tips that are straight or bend slightly inward.