Hello again, Yangjaecheon!

          In early May, I was reading the local newspaper when I came across a short article about the Yangjaecheon Visitor Center holding a display of flower samples from the area. Naturally, I got quite excited. Firstly, it was the first time I had heard of the center; I took it as a sign that it must be a bit far away from where I usually roam about. Besides, what a perfect excuse to spend an afternoon getting a little lost here and there, exploring a new area of the stream! Secondly, I knew this would probably be the best way to find out the names of the countless flowers I had taken pictures of. There were so many photos of flowers stashed away in my hard drive; I really wanted to get to know the curious little smiling faces - their names at the very least. 
          So off I went! I started from the stepping stones of the Yangjaecheon area I usually go to and headed in the direction of the Daechi Station. It was a relief to get away from the tight, sometimes smothering towers of concrete, glass and steel and just let myself wander around the sparkling water, cooling myself under the shadows of the bright green foliage. I was a little worried though, as I went further and further away. There was not a single sign to help me go in the right direction. Plus, the journey was turning out to be a little longer than I expected. After walking for about an hour, I finally saw a little arrow beside a lamp post telling me to go up some wooden steps. I hurriedly ran up...and saw this:

The greens, the bridge, and stream...all of them made up the painting that was simply breathtaking. If you have read my early posts on Yangjaecheon, you would have seen many pictures...none of which look anything like this. I felt incredibly happy to see it all before me. I had never seen this part of Yangjaecheon before...and probably wouldn't have for some time if it hadn't been for this little trip to the Visitor Center. 

After taking some time to take the scenery in, I finally went into the building. I went up a flight of stairs and found an entire wall of flower samples and more displays of the flora and fauna of the area. 

Every sample was labeled with its scientific name as well as its Korean name. Just like I mentioned in a few older posts (Ginkgo biloba: "trees with apricots of a silvery glow"; Ligustrum obtusifolium: "Rat poo tree" or "Black bead tree"), Korean names can be incredibly funny and charming at the same time with a hint of innocence. So here are a few of the most memorable names I learned that day: "Embracing Spring" (Androsace umbellata), "Wind Facing Skies" (Fimbristylis miliacea), "Baby Poo Grass" (Chelidonium majus). 

The following are some more pictures!

"Plants at the center of Yangjae stream"

 The blue mint beetles I adore

Before and after the makeover process

A very important thing I thought I should tell everyone: As recent as the early 1990s, the stream was heavily polluted. From 1995 to 2000, it went through an intense makeover process. One of the most profound effects it had on this environment was the reintroduction of the great biodiversity it once had. Now we can even see raccoons on our daily morning walks :) 

If you would like to go to the Visitor Center yourself, check out the website for more information: http://www.gangnam.go.kr/portal/main/contents.do?menuNo=200652

Lavender, Ivory, Cocoa and Cyan at Yangjaecheon

My third day of freedom with the colors:

                  Seeing your favorite flower unexpectedly really makes your day. Aster frikartii (Flora’s Delight) shyly hid among the bushes, but of course, there was no way I could miss the lavender-blue. This type of Michaelmas daisies isn’t just loved for its lovely shade but also for its long flowering season, spanning from mid-summer to autumn. It is also quite strong – it doesn’t need staking except in windy gardens and is also mildew-resistant. BBC Gardening tells me it looks great with Echinacea purpurea (Coneflower) and Achillea millefolium (Yarrow). What do you think?  http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_page/74.shtml 

                  The rain hasn't come for a few days, and I was happy to be able to walk along the skipping stones again under a clear sky.

                  I found out the name of this particular group of trees that I see so often: 쥐똥나무 (Ligustrum obtusifolium). I childishly chuckle at its funny Korean name; literally, it means “Rat Poo Tree”. It was named after the shape of its berries – apparently bearing a high resemblance to rat feces. However the berries may look, the flowers are minute white gems among the deep green when they bloom in June. I heard some people are actually wishing that the name be changed to “검정알나무” (Black Bead Tree”) to avoid the offensive name. These trees can be easily seen in urban environments in Korea. To my surprise, they have amazing medical powers. Applying slightly ground raw berries onto bleeding gums has therapeutic effects. Tea made from their berries has curative properties for diabetes and body aches. http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0001872855 

                                      Its berries apparently resemble rat feces, hence the Korean name "쥐똥나무"!

  

                 Now that the water on the pavement has dried, the cyclists are out to enjoy the cool air and mellow sunlight. I suddenly miss speeding away on my two wheels, getting my hair blowing about messily in my face but gleefully happy at the same time.

                  One, two, three, four… and five! I saw more sparrows than I expected in just a corner of a bushy patch. The soft shades of brown and the tiny beaks are not a common sight in cities all around the world. In the Netherlands, for example, they are already an endangered species. Researchers have not yet been able to pick out one specific explanation for its population’s decline. So far, the electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones and destruction of their habitats through the construction of manicured lawns and other gardening measures are the main reasons to blame.

                  I spotted several blue mint beetles. The shiny electric blue never fails to cheer me up. Yet, they are actually considered pests in various gardening environments; the adult and larval variants of Chrysolina coerulans eat the foliage on mint plants, becoming a widespread problem on the mainland of Europe.

            One small thing! How can we distinguish moths from butterflies quickly and easily? When they land on a surface, the former spread their wings widely while the latter fold theirs. For example, if you ever come across a White Witch moth, don’t confuse it for a butterfly! http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thysania_agrippina