The Korea National Arboretum has chosen turkestan rose(Rose Rugosa) as the flower of May and columbine(Aquilegia Oxysepala) as the herbage of May. A turkestan rose has an unique aroma and its scarlet flowers are very appealing, and a columbine whose flowers look like claws of a falcon is called a falcon-claw plant in Korean.


Around the flower season, turkestan roses are in full blossom along side the sea shores and drop their flowers by a cold wind from the sea, which looks as if a demure lady was longing for someone. Therefore, A lot of poets have written in their poems about the flower symbolizing yearning feelings.


A turkestan rose grows clustered around beaches, is 1~2 meter high and flowers from May till July. It is versatilely used for medicine, food and ornamental use. In particular its fruits have high vitamin C content and flowers giving out fragrance are used for perfume and cosmetic. What’s more, its roots are believed to be good for irregular menstruation and bruises.


A columbine flowers purplish maroon and the shape of flowers draws our attention for their resemblance to claws of a falcon. It is a perennial native plant and grows wild in fields and mountains. Its flowers are purplish maroon and hang downwards the ground. Its sugar-rich flowers can be edible and are believed to be good for quenching thirsty.


Due to its eye-catching shape, people tend to pick it up and possess it for their own. We should be aware of how to enjoy native plants as they are and nature as it is.





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