The Korea National Arboretum found new habitat for rare indigenous plant locally named "boksa-engdo" (Prunus choreiana Nakai ex Handb.)


It is an endangered species of Rosaceae family and only grows in Korea. It was known to rarely appear in Hamgyeong and Pyeong-an regions in North Korea.


The boksa-engdo is a short tree that grows up to 3-4 meters, very similar to nanking cherry, locally known as engdo namu(Prunus tomentosa Thunb.) Its fruit is similar to peaches that it is often recognized as variety of peach trees.


The native habitat is found within the national forests managed by Jeonseon National Forest Station. It is the same area where another rare species, Caragana koreana was found last June. Botanists and authorities say that this area will be under intensive management to save rare native species.