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To understand the variation limit of taxomomic characters, the Korean Astilbe species were reviewed exomorphologically. Based on the results, it was revealed that two types of trichomes on young shoots and inflorescence rachises are most important characters for identifying Astilbe species: multicellular long nonglandular hair and multicellular short glandular hair. On the basis of type specimens, original descriptions, and relevant articles, Astilbe chinensis is a more reasonable scientific name than Astilbe rubra. The restricted natural habitats, such as high rocky terrains of Mt. Halla-san, shorter or smaller vegetative organs, distinctly shorter primary and secondary inflorescence rachises, and larger size of flowers and floral organs made it possible to distinguish Astilbe taquetii from other species. Astilbe koreana is also verified, with its identity distinguished from other species by having one rhizomatous leaf and dense multicellular short glandular hairs on the young shoot, stem, and inflorescence. Because the angle between the secondary leaf axes and the extent to which the secondary inflorescence axis droops showed great variations among species and even in a species, it could not be used as diagnostic characters. Keywords: Astilbe chinensis, Astilbe koreana, Astilbe rubra, Astilbe taquetii, Morphological characters

Variation or constancy in the chromosome number within taxa of different categories have been proven to be important characters for taxonomic groupings. In order to expand the current knowledge on somatic chromosome numbers of South Korean vascular plants, chromosome counts were made for 50 species (38 genera of 17 families). The first chromosome information for Glaux maritima var. obtusifolia Fernald, Hemerocallis hakuunensis Nakai, Hylotelephium verticillatum (L.) H. Ohba, Orostachys iwarenge f. magnus Y.N. Lee, and Teucrium viscidum var. miquelianum (Maxim.) Hara is presented. New chromosome numbers compared with previous studies are also counted in Aconitum pseudolaeve Nakai, Securinega suffruticosa (Pall.) Rehder, and Tricyrtis macropoda Miq., respectively. In addition, Eupatorium japonicum Thunb. is proven to show polyploidy with tetra- and pentaploid. Among studied species, the diploids (66%) and tetraploids (24%) prevail.

The temporal and spatial origins and evolution of the genus Eranthis have not been previously studied. We investigated the speciation and establishment histories of four Eranthis species: Eranthis byunsanensis, E. pungdoensis, E. stellata, and E. pinnatifida. The sampling localities were Korea, Japan, Jilin in China, and the area near Vladivostok in Primorskiy, Russia. We used 12 chloroplast microsatellite loci (n = 935 individuals) and two chloroplast noncoding regions (rpl16 intron, petL‐psbE intergenic spacer; n = 33 individuals). The genetic diversity, genetic structure, phylogenetic relationships of the four species were analyzed, and their ancestral areas were reconstructed. The high genetic diversity of the Jeju island population of E. byunsanensis and Russian populations of E. stellata indicated these species’ northward and southward dispersal, respectively. The genetic structure analyses suggest that the populations in these four species have limited geographical structure, except for the Chinese E. stellata population (SCP). The phylogenetic analyses suggest that E. byunsanensis and E. pinnatifida are sister species and that Chinese SCP may not belong to E. stellata. The ancestral area reconstruction revealed that the most recent common ancestor of the four species existed in the current Chinese habitat of E. stellata. This study shows that E. byunsanensis and E. pinnatifida originated from a southern Eranthis species and speciated into their current forms near Jeju island and near western regions of Japan, respectively, during the Miocene. E. stellata may have dispersed southward on and near the Korean peninsula, though its specific origin remains unclear. Interestingly, the Chinese E. stellata population SCP suggests that the Chinese population might be most ancient among all the four Eranthis species. E. pungdoensis may have allopatrically speciated from E. byunsanensis during the Holocene. The Korean peninsula and the surrounding areas can be considered interesting regions which provide the opportunity to observe both northern‐ and southern‐sourced Eranthis species.

A floristic, field research was conducted from March 2005 to October 2012 the Woraksan National Park (N 36°46´~36°59´, E 128°02´~128°19´) to characterize the flora of the region. Especially, we divided the surveyed region into nine representative collection areas based on floristic components were compared and analyzed. This field study discovered significant plants in various categories. The 41 surveys revealed that the vascular plants in this region comprised 815 taxa: 116 families, 429 genera, 717 species, 4 subspecies, 78 varieties and 16 forms. In this study, 80 taxa were firstly recorded from this region. Korean endemic plants numbered 22 taxa, and the fifteen taxa rare plants designated by Korean Forest Service as were found in this region. The taxa in the category II of rare and endangered plants and the taxa with the higher rank than the third degree among the floristic regional indicator plants designated by Korean Ministry of Environment were one and 56, respectively. From a geographical perspective, limited distributions of Matteuccia struthiopteris, Spiraea trichocarpa, and Aster tataricus at a latitudes higher than that of Woraksan National Park. Moreover, this study has confirmed that the Woraksan National Park is the species diversity center for Asarum koreanum, Elsholtzia angustifolia, and Allium linearifolium in the central province of the Korean peninsula. Inaddition, the naturalized plants of 54 taxa were recorded.

The flora in the region of Daeheuksando (N34˚37´~34˚42´, E125˚23´~125˚38´) was surveyed from June 2010 to October 2011. The vascular plants from 22 field surveys were revealed to total of 496 taxa: 113 families, 316 genera, 446 species, four subspecies, 43 varieties and three forms. 124 taxa were the first records from this region. This field study discovered significant plants in various categories. Korean endemic plants numbered 7 taxa, and 6 taxa designated by Korean Forest Service as rare plants were investigated in this region. The taxa in the category II of rare and endangered plants and higher than the third degree among the floristic regional indicator plants designated by Korean Ministry of Environment were one taxon and 47 taxa, respectively. Especially, it was proved that Spiraea chartacea, Hosta yingeri, Hemerocallis hongdoensis and Saussurea polylepis were endemic to Heuksan-myeon including Daeheuksando in Korean peninsular. In addition, the naturalized plants of 46 taxa were recorded.

The distribution of native plants of Cheondeungsan Mountain (807 m, N 37°05'00“–37°05'30”, E 128°00'0“–128°02'0”) in Chungcheongbuk-do was determined and the major flora were identified. During field investigations carried out from May 2011 to October 2011, 87 families, 254 genera, and 369 taxonomic groups (327 species, 4 subspecies, 33 varieties, and 5 forms) were confirmed, and the distribution of 219 taxonomic groups was discovered for the first time. The distribution of four endemic plants of Korea, including Ajuga spectabilis Nakai and Salvia chanryoenica Nakai, and that of Penthorum chinense Pursh, a Grade V specific plant species, was found. There were 20 taxa of naturalized plants at Cheondeungsan; the growth and development of plants that are harmful to the ecosystem, such as Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Ambrosia trifida L., Eupatorium rugosum Houtt., and Aster pilosus Willd., was observed around the forest paths and lowlands.

The flora of Chilgapsan Provincial Park in Cheongyang-gun (Chungcheongnam-do), Korea was surveyed from 2000 to 2014. In 19 field surveys, vascular plants were revealed 490 taxa belonging to 97 families, 309 genera, 433 species, four subspecies, 48 varieties, and five forms. Plants of various categories were discovered in this study. For the Korean endemic plants 15 taxa were recorded, and 11 taxa designated by the Korean Forest Service as rare plants were investigated in this region. The plants above the third degree among the floristic regional indicator plants designated by the Korean Ministry of Environment were 10 taxa. In addition, 33 taxa of naturalized and 73 taxa of cultivated plants were recorded.

The flora of Is. Gageodo (N 34˚02´∼34˚05´, E 125˚05´∼125˚08) in Sinangun (Province Jeollanamdo) was surveyed from April 2010 to October 2011. The vascular plants from the results of 23 field surveys were revealed as 385 taxa; in total 98 families, 258 genera, 348 species, three subspecies, 31 varieties and four forms. Fifty taxa were the first records in this region. The plants in various categories were discovered in this study. The number of Korean endemic plants were 7 taxa, and 8 taxa designated by Korean Forest Service as rare plants were investigated in this region. The plants above the third degree among the floristic regional indicator plants designated by Korean Ministry of Environment were 30 taxa. In addition, 28 taxa of the naturalized plants were recorded.

Scrophularia takesimensis Nakai is a Critically Endangered plant species endemic to Ulleung Island, Republic of Korea. We provide updated information on the distribution and conservation status of this species. We located 39 subpopulations and counted a total of 443 individuals, including some reintroduced. Observations of dried and broken branches, with fruits, of S. takesimensis along the coast may indicate dispersal by sea. The construction of coastal roads is the main threat to the species. To conserve this species more effectively we recommend that: (1) the two habitats identified as a priority for conservation should be afforded special protection, (2) habitats to the seaward side of coastal roads are more suitable than habitat on the landward side for in situ conservation, and (3) the presently known subpopulations require continuous protection and monitoring.

The flora in the region of Mt. Sobaeksan National Park (N50'-50', E20'-43') was surveyed from April of 2005 to October of 2011. The vascular plants from 27 field surveys were revealed to total 869 taxa, comprising 112 families, 429 genera, 756 species, four subspecies, 91 varieties and 18 forms. Sixty-eight taxa were the first records from this region. This field study discovered significant plants in various categories. Korean endemic plants numbered 25 taxa, and 18 taxa designated by the Korean Forest Service as rare plants were investigated in this region. The taxa in category II of rare and endangered plants and higher than the third degree among the floristic regional indicator plants designated by the Korean Ministry of the Environment were three taxa and 75 taxa, respectively. From a geographical perspective, limited distribution of Saxifraga octopetala, Corydalis grandicalyx, Aegopodium alpestre, and Polygonatum acuminatifolium at a latitude higher than that of Sobaeksan National Park suggest that Sobaeksan National Park might be the limit line of the distribution of the taxa. Stewartia koreana demonstrate a reversed pattern from the taxa above, occurring at a latitude lower than that of Sobaeksan National Park. In addition, naturalized plants of 53 taxa were recorded.

An unrecorded species, Carex aequialta Kuk. (Cyperaceae), was found in Yecheon-gun, Gyeong-sangbuk-do and Jeju-si, Jeju-do. This species is distinguished from related taxa, C. maximowiczii Miq., C. suifu-nensis Kom., C. phacota Spreng., C. dimorpholepis Steud., C. shimidzensis Franch. and C. tegulata H. Lev. &Vaniot, by having suberect lateral spikes, awnless pistillate scales, short rhizomes and corymblike inflores-cences. This taxon was named ‘Mul-kko-ri-sa-cho’ in Korean based on its external appearances and habitat. Weprovide its description, illustrations, photographs and the key of related taxa in Korea. Keywords: Carex aequialta, sect. Phacocystis, Carex, Cyperaceae, new record 적 요: 사초과의미기록종인물꼬리사초(Carex aequialta Kuk.)가경상북도예천군과제주도제주시에서 발견되었다. 이 종은 아직립하는 측소수, 망(까락)이 없는 자인편, 짧은 지하경, 산방형으로 배열하는 화서를 가져근연종인 왕비늘사초(C. maximowiczii Miq.), 가는비늘사초(C. suifunensis Kom.), 비늘사초(C. phacotaSpreng.), 이삭사초(C. dimorpholepis Steud.), 산꼬리사초(C. shimidzensis Franch.) 및 구슬사초(C. tegulata H.Lev. & Vaniot)와 구분된다. 국명은 외부형태와 생육지를 고려하여 ‘물꼬리사초’로 신칭하였고, 이에 대한 기재, 도해, 사진 및 근연분류군과의 검색표를 제시하였다.

This study was carried out to elucidate floristic data of Chirisan National Park by performing practical field investigation for 1· year and literatures survey simultaneously in 2004. The data from field study were yielded based on voucher specimens. Total number and components of flora of Chirisan National Park is revealed as 1,825 taxa. Among 1,825 taxa, 708 taxa were identified in this field study, and these were comprised 37 orders, 109 families, 382 genera, 590 species 3 subspecies 95 varities 20 forms. Unconfirmed taxa in field but recorded previous literatures were 1,117 taxa, which consist of 41 orders 130 families 500 genera 901 species 9 subspecies 140 varities 67 forms. In conclusion, there may be provisionally 1,825 (708+1,117) taxa in Chirisan National Park. The 43 taxa were firstly found out in this field study. In the floristic data from field study, the number of Korean endemic plants were 31 taxa, the rare and endangered plants which was designated by Korea Forest Service were 21 taxa, the taxa that is more than the t비rd degree among the floristic regional indicator plants which was designated by Korean Ministry of Environment were 40 taxa, and naturalized alien plants to Korea were 27 taxa respectively. Among 1,117 taxa which were not found in this study but recorded in 22 previous literatures, the number of Korean endemic plants were 45 taxa, the rare and endangered plants which was designated by Korea Forest Service were 45 taxa, the taxa that is more than the third degree among the floristic regional indicator plants which was designated by Ministry of Environment were 121 taxa, and naturalized alien plants to Korea were 31 taxa. It can be inferred that the vegetation of Chirisan National Park was changing by some factors and valuable plant resources were tend to diminishing by such as human interference and developments.

here we report a previously unrecorded species of Korean Allium (Alliaceae) from Geomundo, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do. This taxon, A. pseudojaponicum Makino which has been known to distribute only in the southern part of Japan up to date, is easily distingquished from A. thunbergii G. don by lustrous evergreen leaves and lateral scapes as well as chromosome number (2n=32). The common name, 'Gaet-bu-chu', was newly given considering the property of habitat, which as the dry and rocky grasslands facing to the sea in Korea and Japan. In this study, we redescribe morphological characters, and provide illustrations of habit as well as photographs of hacitat.

Corydalis hirtipes is an endangered endemic species of Korea. The geographic distribution range of this species is very restricted, and currently only one locality with a low number of individuals is known. We isolated and characterized eight microsatellite loci in this species. The number of alleles ranged from 4 to 19, observed heterozygosity from 0.39 to 0.88, and expected heterozygosity from 0.43 to 0.88. The markers described here will be useful for investing the genetic diversity, genetic structure, and gene flow of C. hirtipes, and the genetic findings would contribute to the establishment of effective conservation measures for this species.