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5 plants worth knowing

North Korea

North Korea is a mountainous country – mountains cover about 80% of its territory – with a temperate climate of freezing winters and humid monsoon summers. In the north, around the Paektu volcano, grow forests of larch, spruce and Korean pine; the central and southern parts of the country have mixed forests of oak and Japanese red pine, and the famous Diamond Mountains (Kumgang) enchant with rocky crags clad in pines. State propaganda has also bred two flowers as symbols of the leaders: the orchid Kimilsungia and the begonia Kimjongilia.

Hover over a plant to see on the map where it grows.

where it grows

  1. Siebold’s magnolia 1

    tree · National flower of North Korea

    Siebold’s magnolia

    Magnolia sieboldii

    The white mongnan magnolia with crimson stamens is the official national flower of North Korea.
  2. Japanese red pine 2

    tree · National tree of North Korea

    Japanese red pine

    Pinus densiflora

    The rusty-trunked red pine, a symbol of perseverance, is North Korea’s national tree.
  3. Korean rhododendron 3

    shrub

    Korean rhododendron

    Rhododendron mucronulatum

    Pink chindallae azaleas are the first heralds of the Korean spring and the heroines of Korea’s most famous poem.
  4. Ginseng 4

    perennial

    Ginseng

    Panax ginseng

    Ginseng from Kaesong has been famed across Asia since the Middle Ages as the world’s finest “root of life”.
  5. Korean pine 5

    tree

    Korean pine

    Pinus koraiensis

    The Korean pine forms forests at the foot of the Paektu volcano, and its large seeds are prized pine nuts.