Plants in Bloom along the 248-km-long Fence
Follow the gaze of a researcher at the DMZ Botanic Garden and see the plants that can be found along the fence
Landscape of DMZDMZ Botanic Garden
The DMZ Botanic Garden has long been conducting surveys along the barbed-wire fence to find and study undiscovered plants in the DMZ.
Landscape of DMZ 2DMZ Botanic Garden
This border area, where the barbed-wire fences are placed, is a treasure trove of world-class ecosystems that have not been subject to human interference for over 60 years. It is one of the three core ecological axes of the Korean Peninsula, along with the Baekdudaegan and the Coastal Islands, and is the most important area for the conservation of the Korean Peninsula ecosystem.
Land mineDMZ Botanic Garden
There are times when the researchers go into the woods while conducting a survey along the fence. There are still many areas with landmines buried underneath the ground in the border forests. Researchers often find it regretful that they are not able to study the rare and endemic plants that often appear near minefields; they can only look at them from a distance.
Landscape of North KoreaDMZ Botanic Garden
During their surveys, researchers can see various natural environments beyond the fences in North Korea that appear somewhat different from those in South Korea. When the weather is good, it is often possible to spot residents of North Korea working in the fields.
Sus scrofaDMZ Botanic Garden
Since this is an undisturbed natural space, there are many rare plants, but at the same time, various wild animals may appear. In areas where wild boars frequently appear, barbed-wire fences are placed to keep them out.
Quadrat sampling is used as one of the methods of surveying the plants near the barbed-wire fence. This method is used to determine the importance of a species by examining the type and number of a plant species, the number of quadrats in which the species appear, and the degree of surface coverage. During a survey, dozens of important points are selected for research.
Around the fences splitting the land in two, various plants live quietly in harmony.
Naeng-iDMZ Botanic Garden
The name of this plant is Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.)Medik., commonly known as shepherd's purse. It is primarily seen in spring, but the fences seem to take the energy of spring away from it.
White-flower bittercressDMZ Botanic Garden
This plant is called Cardamine leucantha (Tausch) O.E.Schulz. It seems to scream loudly for attention even in this barren land outside the forest.
Thunberg’s daylilyDMZ Botanic Garden
There is Hemerocallis thunbergii Baker. Near the cold fences, this beautiful flower seems to lose its splendor.
Lily of the valleyDMZ Botanic Garden
This plant, called Convallaria keiskei Miq., is in full bloom, as if it does not mind the surrounding barbed-wire fences.
Old-fashion weigelaDMZ Botanic Garden
When spring arrives in May, the flowers of Weigela florida (Bunge)A.DC. are in full bloom. The spring blossoms may ease the tension of this place.
Korean valerianDMZ Botanic Garden
In the forest near the fences, there grows a plant called Valeriana fauriei Briq., which has an interesting smell and name. Owing to its characteristic of growing well in semi-shaded and sunny places, it boasts a strong presence in the forest, exuding a foul smell worthy of its name in Korean, meaning "rat urine."
As it is dangerous to enter deeper into the forest near the fences because of the hidden landmines under the ground, the researchers are only allowed to access the safe areas. Even in the forest near the dangerous barbed-wire fences, beautiful plants such as Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge are in bloom.
Korean pyramid bugleDMZ Botanic Garden
Passing through the area near the fences, which resembles a barren land, a plant called Ajuga multiflora Bunge is found in the forest. At this moment, tension fades away, and a sense of peace settles in.
