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BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used by residents in Gayasan National Park in order to obtain basic data regarding the sustainable conservation of its natural plant ecosystem.MethodsData was collected using participatory observations and in-depth interviews, as the informants also become investigators themselves through attending informal meetings, open and group discussions, and overt observations with semi-structured questionnaires. Quantitative analyses were accomplished through the informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level, and inter-network analysis (INA).ResultsIn total, 200 species of vascular plants belonging to 168 genera and 87 families were utilized traditionally in 1,682 ethnomedicianal practices. The representative families were Rosaceae (6.5%) followed by Asteraceae (5.5%), Poaceae (4.5%), and Fabaceae (4.0%). On the whole, 27 kinds of plant-parts were used and prepared in 51 various ways by the residents for medicinal purposes. The ICF values in the ailment categories were muscular-skeletal disorders (0.98), pains (0.97), respiratory system disorders (0.97), liver complaints (0.97), and cuts and wounds (0.96). In terms of fidelity levels, 57 plant species showed fidelities levels of 100%. Regarding the inter-network analysis (INA) between ailments and medicinal plants within all communities of this study, the position of ailments is distributed into four main groups.ConclusionThe results of the inter-network analysis will provide a suitable plan for sustainable preservation of the national park through a continued study of the data. Particular species of medicinal plants need to be protected for a balanced plant ecosystem within the park. Consequently, through further studies using these results, proper steps need to be established for preparing a wise alternative to create a sustainable natural plant ecosystem for Gayasan National Park and other national parks.

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Solenostomataceae are revised for the Korean Peninsula. In total, 27 species in four genera (Metasolenostoma, Plectocolea, Protosolenostoma, Solenostoma) are recorded, the occurrence of 24 of which is confirmed. Each confirmed species is provided with an ecological overview, and a list of specimens examined and illustrations based on materials from Korea. Solenostoma jirisanense sp. nov. is described.

Verbena bracteata Cav. ex Lag. & Rodr. (Verbenaceae), native to North America and an alien plant in China and Japan, was newly found in central and southern areas of Korea. This species can be distinguished from other Verbena taxa in Korea by having larger floral bracts and stems that are prostrate or procumbent to decumbent-ascending. Verbena bracteata grows in dry and sunny grasslands or along roadsides. A precise description, illustration, photographs, and a key to related taxa are provided.