• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.573-582
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• 2008

We report a newly found natural habitat of Abeliophyllum distichum in mountainous slope range of Yeongdong-gun, Chungbuk Province. Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai is one of the Korean monotypic endemic species. Natural growth habitats of this species have been recorded from seven sites up to now, and all of the natural habitats are located in middle (Chungbuk Prov.) and middle west (Jeonbuk Prov.) parts of South Korea. Among the previously recorded seven natural habitats, six sites have been designated as Korean national monuments and protected with in situ conservation. New natural habitat of A. distichum is located on northwest slope of stiff hillock area beside the small stream, Seolgye-ri, Yeongdong-eup, Yeongdong-gun, Chungbuk Province. Total growing area is nearly $3,000 m^2$. It is 10-25 cm in soil depth and pH 5.0-6.5 in soil acidity in that area. And many of A. distichum are clustered with 2-5 individuals extended by stoloniferous asexual reproduction. And the total numbers of A. distichum are about 700 individuals with only typical white flowers, and the ratio between pin type and thrum type is 37% and 63%, respectively. The huge population of A. distichum is growing with Quercus mongolica-Fraxinus rhynchophylla association in a mixed forest, and it shows high affinity with Stephanandra incisa, Ligustrum obtusifolium, Euonymus alatus for. ciliatodentatus, and Smilax sieboldi.