Common Camellia of Geumsajeong Pavilion in Songjuk-ri, Naju

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.515

Category

동식물

Designated year

2009

Location

나주시, 전라남도— 전남 나주시 왕곡면 송죽리 130

Coordinates

34.960439, 126.635935

This camellia bush was planted in 1519 (the 14th year of Jungjong’s reign) by a group of eleven scholars who left Joseon’s capital city, disillusioned after unsuccessfully campaigning to save the life of Cho Gwang-jo, and decided to bide the time here. The camellia bush is outside a pavilion these eleven scholars built at the same time, named “Geumsajeong,” and symbolizes their unwavering allegiance to their political ideals. A single camellia bush has never before been designated as a Natural Monument, unless as a group (ie. camellia woods). This bush, the thickest in the stem diameter of all camellia plants thus far surveyed, has an attractive, hemispherical crown and is in vigorous health. The camellia flowers in mid-winter, and the passionate red blossoms, when faded, fall whole, without shedding petals. Its beauty and the melancholy the spent blossoms evoke made the camellia one of the flowers the most beloved by Koreans of yore, also mentioned frequently in ancient books including Yanghwasorok, a 15th century encyclopedia of flowers.

Location