Endemic and Rare Plants of Mt. Halla

Abstract

Total number of vascular plants of Mt. Halla are estimated so far 1,624 taxa which consists of 200 taxa of Pteridophytes, 7 taxa of Gymnosperms, 344 taxa of Monocots and 1,073 taxa of Dicots. These numbers without doubt will change in course of time by a result of explorations of new elements companied with an advancement of taxonomic studies. Two hundreds taxa of 252 Pteridophytes in Korea which is 79.4% of total f.ern allies are concentrated to this area, of which 60 taxa are thought to be growing only in this area. Among 60 taxa of limitted distribution to this area 56 taxa are at northern border of their distribution and one northern element is inhabited at the southern border. Numbers of Gymnosperms are very few comprising of 7 taxa, of which 4 taxa are endemic plants of Korea and the rest are distributed up to main land. Angiosperms consist of 344 taxa of' Monocots and 1,073 taxa of Dicots. Twelve Monocots taxa are endemic plants and one of which goes up to main land. Sixty taxa of 70 endemic Dicots-have limitted distribution to this area and 10 taxa extend their distribution to main land. Rare plants of Angiospeims are enumerated 156 taxa including 36 taxa of Monocots and 120 of Dicots. 142 of 156 taxa are fronted at the northern border zone of their distribution and 9 taxa distribute from the main land of Red China to Japan through Mt. Halla region. Three hundreds and five taxa of endemic and rara plants are included in the following list, which belong to 80 families, 201 genera, 293 species, 5 varieties and 7 forms. Endemic taxa are marked with hollow or solid circles at the head of their scientific names. '~ollowci rcled taxa are these members whose habitats were found by the author and solid circled 26 taxa (29.4% of the total endemics of Mt. Halla) were not found growing during his visit there, although they were reported before from this region.