The Korea National Arboretum has taken the lead in changing the English name of pine trees in Korea, which had been using the Japanese-style name. (Photo courtesy of Imagetoday)

The Korea Forest Service’s Korea National Arboretum (KNA) has achieved the key milestone of gaining botanical recognition for native Korean plant species and restoring their cultural identity. On September 5, the KNA announced the registration of English names for 3,940 native Korean plant species with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), an international portal for biological data.

Main page of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) website (Photo courtesy of Korea National Arboretum)

Foremost is the Korean red pine, called “sonamu” in Korean and holding the scientific name Pinus densiflora. Widely regarded as Korea’s national tree, its official international biological name is now “Korean red pine.” This rectifies the long-standing issue of many Korean plant species having been listed under Japanese names due to the influence of Japanese scholars before and during the period of Japanese colonial rule in Korea (1910-1945).

The addition of Korean red pine to the GBIF carries profound cultural significance. This tree is not merely part of Korea’s landscape but has deep roots in local culture and mythology. Similarly, other plants, including gaenari and goryeo eonggeongkwi (also known as gondeure) have been included in the GBIF as a nod to their importance in Korean traditions and daily life.

Image capture of the paper mulberry tree registered in GBIF (Photo courtesy of Korea National Arboretum)

Other examples of plants now listed under English names include ulleung samnamul (Korean thistle), ulleung solsongnamu (Ulleungdo hemlock), daknamu (Korean mulberry tree) and keungaeguri baltop (Korean buttercup). These updates ensure that international researchers and the global scientific community can more easily associate these species with their Korean origins.

Plant names typically fit into three categories: scientific name, common name and, in some cases, national name. While a standard Latin-based system is used for scientific names, common names can vary by region and language. The KNA’s initiative ensures that Korean names are included in the GBIF directory, preserving each species’ cultural and historical significance.

(Left) Hanji (2164229119) in bloom; (right) Korean buttercup (1337003618) (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

This effort is part of a broader strategy by the KNA to promote Korea’s native species globally. By reclaiming the names of its plants, Korea is not only safeguarding its natural heritage but also ensuring that these species’ true origins are recognized and respected worldwide.

The recognition of the Korean red pine and other native species in international botanical records represents an important step in correcting historical inaccuracies and asserting the cultural and historical significance of Korea’s native flora. This initiative reflects the importance of names in shaping our understanding of the world and underscores the role of cultural identity in biological science.