Northernmost Population of Neolitsea sericea at Bulgapsa Temple, Yeonggwang

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.112

Category

동식물

Designated year

1962

Location

영광군, 전라남도— 전남 영광군 불갑면 불갑사로 450 (모악리)

Coordinates

35.196368, 126.550144

Sericeous newlitse is a kind of camper tree whose Korean name is “Chamsiknamu.” This is distributed in Japan, Taiwan, China, and Korea. In Korea in particular, it is growing on Ulleungdo Island and southern district where it is warm. The northernmost natural habitat of this tree is located behind the slope of Bulgapsa Temple in Bulgap-myeon, Yeonggwang. The average height of the trees is about 6m, and they grow sporadically in a group. In this region, camellia trees, carpinus trees, and zelkova trees are growing with these trees. According to legend, Jeong Un, the Buddhist priest who stayed in Bulgapsa Temple, went to India to study Buddhism and met an Indian princess by chance. They fell in love each other, but the king, upon finding out, pronounced his exile from India. The princess, grieving for their impending separation, gave him the fruit of a tree in the place where they used to meet. Jeong Un brought and planted that fruit, which grew to be Chamsiknamu (Sericeous Newlitse). Fruits from that tree then grew and formed this natural habitat. The Northernmost Population of Sericeous Newlitse at Bulgapsa Temple, Yeonggwang has been designated and protected as a Natural Monument as it has great value as data for research.

Location