Over 10 Stalks of Endangered Baegunran Discovered on Gayasan

A part of Baegunran found on the mid-slope of Gayasan in the direction of Yesan. Provided by Chungnam Province

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The endangered species 'Baegunran' has been discovered in Gayasan Provincial Park.

According to the Chungnam Provincial Forest Resources Research Institute on the 26th, about 10 shoots of Baegunran were confirmed at an altitude above the mid-slope of Gayasan towards Yesan.

Baegunran is classified as a 'Class II Endangered Wild Plant' designated by the Ministry of Environment and is also listed as a 'Critically Endangered (CR)' species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), making it one of the taxa with very few individuals.

Its natural habitats in Korea are limited to about 10 locations including Baegunsan in Jeonnam, Gangwon Province, and Ulleungdo, and even these habitats are gradually decreasing.

Seo Dowon, head of the Provincial Forest Resources Research Institute, stated, "We will conduct regular monitoring to protect and manage the Baegunran found in Gayasan and prepare measures to prevent damage to its natural habitat."

Meanwhile, Baegunran, a perennial plant of the orchid family, grows parasitically on decayed plant matter in shaded forests.

It is characterized by rhizomes growing laterally from the nodes, with the entire plant exhibiting a brown color. Its height ranges from 4 to 6 cm, and it has 3 to 5 broad ovate leaves. The surface is dark green, measuring 1 to 15 mm in length and 5 to 9 mm in width.

The white flowers bloom in August, with 1 to 3 flowers per stem, and the fruit is an oval capsule that ripens red.