Goesan Yulji-ri Abeliophyllum distichum Habitat

The Goesan Yulji-ri Abeliophyllum distichum habitat is located on a hill in the middle of a low mountain in Chilseong-myeon, Goesan-gun, and was discovered in 1967. Abeliophyllum distichum is a Korean endemic plant belonging to the Oleaceae family. It thrives in rocky areas, with shallow and widely spreading roots. The mid-slope of the low mountain, not far from a village with a view of Gunja Mountain in the distance, is a place piled with large rocks and coarse stones. Its height is usually about 1m, with many branches. The lateral branches are straight but curved at the tips, and the young branches are reddish-brown or brown and quadrangular. The leaves are opposite, 1–5cm long and 0.5–3cm wide, elliptic or ovate with pointed tips, without serrations, and green in color. The flowers bloom in March–April before the leaves, from the leaf axils of the previous year's branches. The corolla is funnel-shaped with four lobes, white or pale pink. The fruit is a single-seeded samara with a slightly concave tip, forming in summer and ripening in autumn. The name 'Abeliophyllum distichum' is said to originate from the shape of this fruit, and its unique shape and beautiful flowers make it a source of pride worldwide. Abeliophyllum distichum was first discovered in 1919 in Yongjeong-ri, Chopyeong-myeon, Jincheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. It later became extinct in its original habitat of Jincheon, but habitats were discovered in Songdeok-ri, Jangyeon-myeon, Goesan-gun in 1955, Chujeom-ri, Jangyeon-myeon in 1965, and Yulji-ri, Chilseong-myeon in 1967. Until 1970, these three habitats were protected as Natural Monuments. A total of five habitats have been reported, including the habitat in Maecheon-ri, Yeongdong-eup, Yeongdong-gun, designated as a Natural Monument on August 2, 1990, and the Abeliophyllum distichum habitats on the hillsides along Jikso Stream and Baekcheon Stream in Byeonsan Peninsula, Buan, designated in 1992.