Box-leaved Hollies in Junggye-ri, BuanThis photo shows the box-leaved hollies in Junggye-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun. Byeonsan Peninsula is the northern limit line where the box-leaved hollies can grow naturally.
Population of Box-leaved Hollies in Junggye-ri, BuanThis is a view of the Population of Box-leaved Hollies in Junggye-ri, Buan. It was designated as Natural Monument No. 124.
A colony of Box-leaved Hollies in Junggye-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do.
Summary
Box-leaved Hollies are plants growing in the warm temperate zone of southern provinces of Japan, Jeju Island, and islands in the south coast of the Korean Peninsula. The Byeonsan Peninsula is the northern limit line where box-leaved hollies can grow naturally in Korea. In recognition of value in terms of plant distribution, the Colony of Box-leaved Hollies in Gyeokpo-ri, Buan was designated as Natural Monument No. 124 on December 7, 1962.
Biological Characteristics
Box-leaved Holly is a broadleaf evergreen shrub belonging to Aquifoliaceae. The dioecious tree grows up to 3m tall. It has grayish-brown branches, oval-shaped serrated leaves 10-16mm long and 6-10mm wide. The front side of the leaf is dark green and glossy, and the back side is light green. Thus, it is called dunchidongqing (evergreen tree with obtusely serrated leaves) in China. Its Korean name kwangkwang came to be attached to it, as its leaves make a booming sound (“kkwang” in Korean) when burned. It blooms with very small whitish-green flowers with the diameter of 4mm in May and June. Its fruits measuring 6-8mm in diameter turn black when ripe in October.
Natural Environment
Southern plants are vulnerable to climate changes, and Box-leaved Hollies are not an exception. Their colony in Junggye-ri, which is located at an elevation of 97 meters, is not submerged by water as there is 50m difference with the full water level (47m) of Buan Dam, but it is feared to be affected by the wet fog from the dam and the shortage of amount of sunshine.
Matters related to Lifestyle and Folklore
As Kwangkwang trees have lots of branches thick with leaves and its form of tree can be easily controlled, they are loved as garden trees and hedges. The wood is hard, heavy, and not easily cracked, so it is used to make wooden nails, seals, and combs. It is also used as material for carving.
Current Status
The colony of Box-leaved Hollies where some 200 trees grow in the designated area of 661m², is located on the relatively flat land, called “nuemeori or jamdu (head of silkworm)” in Junggye-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun. It is difficult to get close to the area due to the dam built in 1996. According to the Buan-Gun Newsletter (1991), many of the trees are 1.3m tall. Some of them have stumps close to the ground with diameter of about 10cm.
