Natural monuments are IUCN Category III protected areas that play an important role in biodiversity conservation as they provide species refuge and allow species migration. Despite their status, natural monuments are often confined to cultural and fragmented landscapes due to anthropogenic land-use demands. In this population genomic study, we surveyed 11 populations of the endemic shrub Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai (Oleaceae), including five natural monument habitats, covering its range-wide distribution in South Korea. Using 2,254 SNPs as markers, our results showed a mean expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.319, with populations in the central distribution showing significantly higher He than those at the periphery. There was no significant heterozygote deficiency and inbreeding among studied populations overall (FIS = −0.098), except for a single natural monument population (GS-NM147). Population structure and differentiation was moderate to high (FST = 0.196), while recent gene flow between populations appeared weak, which can be attributed to the fragmented distribution and the outcrossing mating system of the heterostylous plant. Based on these findings, we provide suggestions for the population conservation and management of this endangered species.

Eriobotrya shanense, a new species from the karst region of Shan State, eastern Myanmar, is described and illustrated. This evergreen tree is similar to the autumn and winter-flowering, large-leaved species E. malipoensis and E. japonica by having tomentose hairs on the abaxial leaf surface, but can be distinguished by its obovate, widely obelliptic or oval blade shape, leaf length-width ratio of 2:1 (vs. 3:1), and rounded or obtuse apex (vs. acute). The species also resembles less-known, undercollected Myanmar broad-leaved species E. wardii and E. platyphylla in leaf shape and length-width ratio, but can be easily differentiated by the presence of tomentose hairs on the leaves, and inflorescence. Phylogenetic analysis based on nrDNA ITS region supported its close affinity with E. malipoensis and E. japonica. Molecular data also generally grouped the 17 congeneric taxa accessions in congruence to their leaf morphology, with the entire Eriobotrya clade strongly supported to be monophyletic and separate from Rhaphiolepis.

Genetic assessments of rare and endangered species are among the first steps necessary to establish the proper management of natural populations. Transcriptome-derived single-sequence repeat markers were developed for the Korean endangered species Astilboides tabularis (Saxifragaceae) to assess its genetic diversity. A total of 96 candidate microsatellite loci were isolated based on transcriptome data using Illumina pair end sequencing. Of these, 26 were polymorphic, with one to five alleles per locus in 60 individuals from three populations of A. tabularis. The observed and expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.000 to 0.950 and from 0.000 to 0.741, respectively. These polymorphic transcriptome-derived simple sequence repeat markers would be invaluable for future studies of population genetics and for ecological conservation of the endangered species A. tabularis.

<i>Saxifraga cortusifolia</i> Siebold & Zucc. (Saxifragaceae, sect. <i>Irregulares</i>, ser. <i>Rufescentes</i>), a species considered endemic along mountain streams throughout Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in Japan, was discovered as a wild population in the Cheona Valley in Haean-dong, Jeju-si on Jeju-do Island of Korea. The population consisted of three subpopulations occupying narrow areas 10 × 10 m², 5 × 5 m², and 10 × 5 m² in size. The number of individuals in the three subpopulations was confirmed to exceed 100. Most of the individuals were on or below rocks at the edge of the valley. A morphological description, detailed photos, and a key to related taxa in Korea are presented.