Korea's native plants to find new names

The Korea Forest Service has changed the name of the "Japanese red pine," which was arbitrarily assigned to the trees by Japanese botanists during Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula, to "Korean red pine."
/ Courtesy of Korea Forest Service

By Jhoo Dong-chan

During Japan's colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula, it was not only Koreans who were forced to change their names to Japanese, but also the native plants here.

The Korea Forest Service (KFS) said Monday that to mark the nation's 70th anniversary of Liberation Day, it will change the nation's native plants that were named arbitrarily by Japanese botanists during the 1910-1945 colonial rule.

The nation's pine tree, commonly found on the peninsula and even expressed in the lyrics of the national anthem, has been called the "Japanese red pine" in English.

The KFS has found 4,172 other plants named in similar fashion and is reviewing how to change their names.

Those native plants that mainly grow in Korea, but whose common designations include the name of other countries, will be subject to the review list.

Unlike plants' scientific names that are used universally with only one name and cannot be changed once identified under the "International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi and Plants," plants frequently have multiple names in different places around the world.

"The review process to newly name our native plants is very important." director general Lee You-mi of the KFS said in a press release.

"Because plant names do not only indicate what they are called but also symbolize the culture and history of the people."

Among the nation's 4,173 native plants, The KFS has newly named some 2,500 plants so far.

For example, Japanese red pine was changed to "Korean red pine."

The cherry tree, which has been called a "Japanese flowering cherry" was also changed into "oriental flowering cherry."

Some native plants, including first mug wart and shepherd's purse, have gotten names as they sound in Korean ― "Ssuck" and "Naeng-i," respectively.

The KFS released the list of newly named native plants on its webpage, www.kna.go.kr, and published it at the Google Play Library as well.

History Professor Kang Pan-kwon of Keimyung University welcomes the KFS's efforts.

"Plants have always been with our lives since they are a fundamental food source for human beings," said Kang.

"To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the nation's independence, naming them with our own language is thus an important step to teach correct history to our future generations."

Site Map E-paper Subscribe Register LogIn
Site Map E-paper Subscribe Register LogIn