Just outside Seoul, a wildflower heaven
Published: 19 Apr. 2016, 20:11
The many colors of the flowers such as red, yellow, white and purple are woven together delicately across the ground. The composition presents a pleasant sight.
Mount Hwaya (2,477 feet) located in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi, is the closest place to Seoul to visit to enjoy the abundance of wildflowers. The Bukhan River that runs along the northern side of the mountain forms the Cheongpyeong Lake. The lake surrounds Mount Godong and makes a beautiful sight. The valley of the mountain is not steep, so various flowers form a wide, beautiful flower garden.
Mount Hwaya has gained the title of the heaven for wildflowers due to the Asian fawnlily. In the capital area, the mountain is the first place that the Asian fawnlily blossoms. Following the trail, visitors can catch a glimpse of the purplish flowers.
The Asian fawnlily is known to be the most beautiful among the wildflowers. The Korean name for the flower is eolleji, which indicates the little spots or eolluk on the petals. When the flower blooms, the six petals curl back like a round chignon in a woman’s hair. The shape of the petals is also reminiscent of a woman’s skirt blowing in the soft wind of spring.
Another reason why Mount Hwaya is recognized for the Asian fawnlily is that there grows the white versions of the flower, which are a very rare sight. Usually the flowers are purple, but due to a genetic mutation, these flowers are white.
Thus, the queen of the wildflowers is this white Asian fawnlily. The noble color dazzles visitors. When photographers come across these flowers, they consider it a stroke of luck.
Besides the Asian fawnlily, there are other flowers to enjoy such as liverwort. The calyx of the flower resembles a roe deer’s ear. The flower has three colors - white, pink, and blue. Flower experts regard the fine, soft hair on the stem of the flower as the highlight. So if you set up your camera on the opposite side as the sun, the hair will glow in the light.
Red-leafed mukdenia cannot be disregarded, either. This plant grows near the rough rocks in the valley. The shape of leaves looks similar to maple leaves. The baby leaves are edible. Recently, the plant has been used to decorate small ponds in gardena. These colorful plants make the valley all the more charming.
At Ungok Temple, rare white dandelions can be found. Most dandelions are yellow, and they originate from the West.
On Mount Hwaya in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi, bloom Asian fawnlilies, which are the representative flowers of the mountain. The Asian fawnlily is known as the most beautiful of wildflowers. [PARK SANG-MOON]
Other wildflowers that can be spotted around Mount Hwaya in springtime are fumewort, windflowers or anemone, which signify secret love, the poisonous Korean scopolia, false starwort, and siebold’s spurge, which have one female flower and multiple male flowers intertwined on one stem. These various flowers together create a stunning tapestry.
The wildflowers that bloom in spring are generally low to the ground. So, if you do not get down on the ground, it will be difficult to come face-to-face with the blossoms. Even though they are small, they possess energy and vitality from overcoming the harsh winter. And they deliver a message of hope.
The plants that grow in nature are precious resources to humanity from the past and the interest toward the flowers is growing. The usages of the flowers are infinite. Thus, even unnamed flowers must be cared for and loved.
BY PARK SANG-MOON [moonpark@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)