Population of Golden Rain Trees in Daemun-ri, Wando

Along the southwestern coastline of Wando Island, some 600 golden rain trees, both tree- and shrub-form, together with other species, form an elongated colony about 1 km long and 40–100 m wide. This population of golden rain trees in Daemun-ri, Wando, consists of the oldest and largest trees found among all golden rain tree colonies discovered to date, and the forest is in good condition. Together with the "Population of Golden Rain Trees in Anmyeondo Island, Taean" and the "Golden Rain Trees and Jetbead Trees in Balsan-ri, Pohang," it is one of Korea's representative golden rain tree colonies and is of outstanding academic value. The golden rain tree, a globally rare species of the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family, bears yellow flowers in July. The Chinese text Sancai Tuhui (三才圖會, 1609) describes it as a tall tree bearing hard black seeds and calls it mullanja (木欒子); its flowers were used to make a yellow dye, and because it was often planted around Buddhist temples and its seeds used as prayer beads or a soap substitute, it is also called the "prayer bead tree." The population of golden rain trees in Daemun-ri, Wando, together with other species along the coast, serves as a windbreak and a fish-attracting coastal forest. Compared with other golden rain tree colonies it has more individuals, more large old trees, and a forest in better condition, making it a representative naturally occurring colony of great academic value; it has accordingly been designated and protected as a Natural Monument.

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Where it is

Region

Wando, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물