Hyeok Jae Choi

• PhD
• Professor at Changwon National University

This study was undertaken to better understand Allium infrageneric taxonomy, character evolution, species diversification, and patterns of radiation in disjunct species between the New and Old World using morphological and molecular data. Taxonomic sampling focused on northeastern Asian (mainly Korean and northeastern Chinese) and representative di...

The genus Allium, with over 900 species, is one of the largest monocotyledonous genera and is widely accepted with 15 recognized subgenera and 72 sections. The robust subgeneric and sectional relationships within Allium have long been not resolved. Based on 76 species of Allium (a total of 84 accessions), we developed a highly resolved plastome phy...

Allium is a complicated genus that includes approximately 1000 species. Although its morphology is well studied, the taxonomic importance of many morphological traits, including floral traits, are poorly understood. Here, we examined and measured the floral characteristics of 87 accessions of 74 Allium taxa (belonging to 30 sections and 9 subgenera...

Pedicularis flava Pall. is perennial herb and is distributed in China (Inner Mongolia), Mongolia and Russia (Zabaikalye Territory – Chita city, Republic of Tyva). In Mongolia, this species is quite widely distributed across several phytogeographical regions. In this study, we assembled and annotated the complete plastid genome of P. flava using the...

Oxytropis oyunmaae (Fabaceae) is described as a new species from the Khangai phytogeographical region of Mongolia. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to O. pavlovii, but differs from the latter in its pods, which are not inflated, leathery, oblong-linear (vs. inflated, membranous, globose), and calyx, which is campanulate (vs. tubular...

Background The genus Gagea is one of the largest and most complex members of the family Liliaceae, and comprises more than 320 species. Gagea is taxonomically challenging because of its morphological variations, polyploidization, hybridization and potential to inhabit ecologically diverse environments. In this study, we investigated the taxonomy, m...

At a time of alarming biodiversity loss, biodiversity monitoring is crucial. Yet, funding for such monitoring is difficult to attain, leading to data gaps of baseline biodiversity information in regions of the world that are often the most threatened. In Mongolia, there are limited resources for finding wild photos and distribution points of vascul...

Salix section Subviminales, including only three species, is endemic to East Asia. In this study, we revised three species, S. gracilistyla, S. graciliglans, and S. blinii in Korea based on their plastomes and extensive morphological analyses to provide a comprehensive understanding of their taxonomic relationships. Based on our findings, we identi...

Astragalus L. is the largest genus worldwide, comprising over 3,100 species belonging to 250 sections. In Mongolia, approximately 130 species, including 15 endemic and 25 subendemic species have been previously recognized from 42 sections and 6 subgenera. In this study, we investigated several species within section Laguropsis in Mongolia based on...

The northern dragonhead, Dracocephalum ruyschiana L., is a perennial plant distributed from Europe to Mongolia. This study presents the first complete chloroplast genome sequence of D. ruyschiana from Mongolia based on high-throughput sequencing. The chloroplast genome displays a typical quadripartite structure and is 150,896bp long, with a GC cont...

To infer the cytological evolutionary mechanism of the genus Hosta, we analyzed chromosome numbers and karyotypes obtained via Feulgen staining, and measured genome size by flow cytometry. While the chromosome number of all the studied plants was consistently 2n=60, the total haploid chromosome length varied from 55.37 µm in H. jonesii to 76.22 µm...

This article presents for the first time a checklist of vascular plants of the Akmola Region (AR), based on four years of field expeditions (2020–2024), extensive research on herbarium specimens, and relevant literature. Based on our results, 1,164 vascular plant species of 471 genera and 101 families have been documented in the AR. This list inclu...

Tulipa uniflora (L.) Besser ex Baker (1874) is distributed throughout China, Mongolia, and Russia (Siberia). This study reports the complete chloroplast genome sequence of T. uniflora based on high-throughput sequencing. The genome has a natural quadripartite structure and is 152,254 bp long with 36.5% GC content. It has 98 unique genes, including...

Rare plant species identified in project areas where land is to be developed or altered may need to be extracted for ex situ conservation under human control. During ex situ conservation, it is important to minimize the impact of adverse factors including the potentially limited environmental adaptability of rare plants under cultivation and possib...

Swertia obtusa Ledebour is a perennial herb distributed in China (Xinjiang), Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia. In this study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of S. obtusa using high-throughput sequencing. The length of this genome was 153,874 bp, consisting of a pair of inverted repeats (IR, 25,855 bp), a large single-copy region (LSC,...

In the 1930s, Koreans residing in the Russian Far East were forcibly relocated to Central Asia by the Soviet Union, wherein they have subsequently become established as the Koryoin (Koryo-saram) community. Despite this displacement, whilst adapting to the new environment the Koryoin have maintained their Korean cultural traditions, resulting in a f...

The genus Tulipa L., belonging to the Liliaceae family, has significant economic, horticultural, and ecological importance and is culturally revered in various regions worldwide. The total number of Tulipa species, including 90–120 taxa, varies based on different sources. Globally, Kazakhstan has one of the highest diversities of Tulipa species, mo...

Unraveling species boundaries is pivotal for evolutionary biology and conservation endeavors. However, it proves challenging in instances where recent speciation is intertwined with complex demographic histories and natural selection processes. The Rhododendron keiskei complex, an evergreen rhododendron distributed in East Asia, consists of a wides...

Our purpose was to carry out a comparative phytochemical analysis of fruits (both fresh and stored for 1 month) of two local apple varieties of the Republic of Tajikistan. Assays were carried out to quantify total phenolic compounds, flavonols, catechins, tannins, phenolcarboxylic acids, pectins, and protopectins by UV spectrometry and ascorbic aci...

The taxonomic identification of the genus Astragalus L. is challenging due to its over 3,000 taxa worldwide. The present study, shrubby Astragalus arbuscula Pall. belonging to section Dissitiflori is new record to the Mongolian flora based on morphological observations. The general morphology of this species is similar to A. gontscharovii Vassilcz....

The family Apiaceae, distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, is the largest family of angiosperms. However, little is known about the conservation status, diversity, and distribution of Apiaceae species in Mongolia. This study had two main aims: (1) to assess the national status of Apiaceae species under IUCN Red List Criterion B; (2) to ev...

Brachanthemum mongolorum Grubov (Asteraceae) has been previously reported as endemic and narrowly distributed in eastern Mongolia. Since 2017, we have conducted field surveys across the eastern part of this country to gain a better understanding of this species because of the scarcity of herbarium collections deposited at GAT, MW, LE, and UBA. Acco...

To date, a total of 3,041 native taxa belonging to 653 genera and 111 families have been recognized in Mongolia. Among these, approximately 200 species are woody plants, including trees, shrubs, and subshrubs in the country. In this book, we provide wild photo illustrations for over 105 woody plants, accompanied by detailed photographs highlighting...

Astragalus L. is one of the largest genera, including over 3,000 taxa worldwide. In the present study, we found two new records of A. teskhemicus Sytin & Shaulo and A. testiculatus Pall. in western Mongolia. We provided a morphological revision and DNA barcoding (ITS) of two new records along with that of the most similar Astragalus species includi...

The Japanese subalpine zone is dominated by an ecologically important forest biome, subalpine coniferous forest, constituting a distinct assemblage of cold‐tolerant angiosperm and conifer species. While being relatively intact compared to other forest biomes in Japan, subalpine coniferous forests are under significant threat from deer browsing, glo...

To date, a total of 3,041 native taxa belonging to 653 genera and 111 families have been recognized in Mongolia. Among these, approximately 200 species are woody plants, including trees, shrubs, and subshrubs in the country. In this book, we provide wild photo illustrations for over 120 woody plants, accompanied by detailed photographs highlighting...

Background Swertia banzragczii and S. marginata are important medicinal species in Mongolia. However, their taxonomic positions and genetic backgrounds remain unknown. In this study, we explored the complete chloroplast genomes and DNA barcoding of these species and compared them with those of closely related species within the subgenus to determin...

Eremurus zoae Vved. 1971 is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Asphodelaceae and an endemic species of the Kyrgyz Republic; however, its complete chloroplast genome sequence has not been reported. Here, we investigated the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of E. zoae using next-generation sequencing. The cp genome was 153,744 bp long, with a...

Four species of Saussurea, namely S. involucrata, S. orgaadayi, S. bogedaensis, and S. dorogostaiskii, are known as the “snow lotus,” which are used as traditional medicines in China (Xinjiang), Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Russia (Southern Siberia). These species are threatened globally, because of illegal harvesting and climate change. Furthermore,...

In this study, we updated and revised the checklist of macrofungi, along with the distribution of phytogeographical regions and the regional conservation status in Mongolia. The checklist comprises 677 macrofungal species belonging to 284 genera and 119 families in the country. Based on previous studies, 18 species are currently invasive to Mongoli...

Hordeum jubatum L. and Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.) Sch. Bip. are currently recorded as non-native to the flora of Mongolia. Hordeum jubatum can easily be distinguished from other Mongolian Hordeum species by its glumes much (usually more than 10×) that are longer than the floret. Tripleurospermum inodorum differs from T. limosum (Maxim.) Pobed.,...

In the third part of our series of papers, we selected 40 native taxa from 33 genera of 21 families, considering their high conservation relevance. The chosen 40 species included 19 threatened and four endemic species, and they belong to the following genera: Aconitum L., Adenophora Fisch., Androsace L., Anemonastrum Holub, Arctous Nied., Arnica L....

A comparative karyotype analysis of four species of yellow-flowered Eranthis sect. Eranthis, i.e., E. bulgarica, E. cilicica, E. hyemalis, and E. longistipitata from different areas, has been carried out for the first time. All the studied specimens had somatic chromosome number 2n = 16 with basic chromosome number x = 8. Karyotypes of the investig...

Background Swertia banzragczii and S. marginata are important medicinal species in Mongolia. However, their taxonomic positions and genetic backgrounds remain unknown. In this study, we explored the complete chloroplast genomes and morphological features of these species and compared them with those of closely related species within the subgenus to...

Adonis mongolica is a threatened species that is endemic to Mongolia. It is a medicinal plant from the Adonis genus and has been used to treat heart diseases. However, the genomics and evolution of this species have not been thoroughly studied. We sequenced the first complete plastome of A. mongolica and compared it with ten Adonideae species to de...

The Japanese subalpine zone is dominated by a distinct and ecologically important conifer rich forest biome, subalpine coniferous forests, that are an outlier of the extensive boreal forests of Eurasia. While being relatively intact compared to other forest biomes in Japan, subalpine coniferous forests are under significant threat from deer browsin...

The Altai Mountains of Central and North Asia are biologically rich and comprise a wide range of ecosystems and phytogeographical regions. According to the latest checklist, a total of 321 endemic vascular plant species, including 217 endemic and 104 subendemic taxa, have been recognized in the Altai Mountain Country (AMC). In this study, we conduc...

The genus Allium is a well-known model system for cytological research, and its cytological characteristics are considered important for species identification. In this study, we counted chromosome numbers of 21 populations from 12 taxa comprising seven sections (Butomissa, Sacculiferum, Schoenoprasum, Oreiprason, Reticulatobulbosa, Rhizirideum, Te...

Following recent taxonomic, distributional, and nomenclatural revisions, an updated checklist of the endemic plants on the Korean Peninsula is needed. This study provides an updated checklist of vascular plants endemic to the Korean Peninsula and describes their distribution within administrative provinces. The revised checklist includes 373 endemi...

Background and Aims The evolution of mating systems from outcrossing to self-fertilization is a common transition in flowering plants. This shift is often associated with “selfing syndrome”, which is characterized by less visible flowers with functional changes to control outcrossing. In most cases, the evolutionary history and demographic dynamics...

Saussurea dorogostaiskii Palib. (Asteraceae) is a critically endangered medicinal plant in Mongolia and Russia. We studied the genetic variation of S. dorogostaiskii from three mountains of northern Mongolia. The genetic profile was conducted in 70 individuals from eight populations using five inter simple sequence repeats markers, producing 53 loc...

Since 2016, the Korea National Arboretum has funded “Flora of Mongolia” project, which focuses on vascular plants in Mongolia. Our initial step is undertaking field surveys in various vegetation types in northern, eastern and western parts of Mongolia. Based on six years field surveys, we collected approximately 15,000 herbarium collections which w...

Six species of Saussurea namely S. involucrata, S. orgaadayi, S. bogedaensis, S. dorogostaiskii, S. revjakinae and S. krasnoborovii are known as the "Snow Lotus" in Kyrgyzstan, east Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia (south Siberia), and China (Xinjiang). These species are globally threatened because of their use as traditional medicines. In addition, al...

This paper discusses identifying Important Plant Areas (IPAs) in one of the most densely populated regions of Central Asia-the Fergana valley. The recognition of IPA sites is an attempt to introduce new ways of conserving local plant diversity with a high concentration of endemic species in Central Asia, where conservation methods of the former Sov...

Fritillaria dagana Turcz. has a restricted global distribution, occurring only in southern Siberia and northern Mongolia. Concerning its restricted distribution and endangered conservation status, we aimed to forecast its current and future suitable habitats as well as distribution shifts for 2050 and 2080. The Maxent model with different scenarios...

This study was conducted to examine the suitability of Allium spirale Willd. and A. pseudojaponicum Makino as the cut flower by assessing the effect of different holding solutions on vase life, solution uptake rate, and relative fresh weight of the species. After harvest, cut flowers were treated with 50, 75, and 100 mg·L-1 of gibberellic acid (GA...

In this book, we provided the wild species photos of 1,159 species belonging to 455 genera and 100 families. The majority of species photos belong to the angiosperm (1,132 species) along with gymnosperms (10 species), ferns and fern allies (2 species) and lycophytes (2 species). Furthermore, photos of 35 endemic species were provided in this book....

We report the first record of Aquilegia grubovii (Ranunculaceae) for Russia, a rare species previously known from five localities in Mongolia. The species belongs to A. sect. Aquilegia subsect. Aquilegia and is characterized by curved or hooked spurs slightly longer than the limb of petals, 2-2.8 mm long, straight only at the top diverging fruits w...

The seed coat sculpture is one of the most important taxonomic distinguishing features. The objective of this study is to classify coat patterns of Allium L. seeds into new groups using scanning electron microscopy unsupervised machine learning. Selected images of seed coat patterns from more than 100 Allium species described in literature and data...

In the second part of our series of works, we selected 50 native vascular plant taxa from 44 genera and 24 families. The selected 49 species and one subspecies belong to the genera Acanthophyllum C.A.Mey., Aegopodium L., Anabasis L., Anemone L., Antennaria Gaern., Aquilegia L., Armeria (DC.) Willd., Astragalus L., Atriplex L., Camphorosma L., Carag...

Mosla dadoensis (Lamiaceae), a new species from the southern islands of South Korea, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to M. chinensis , but is distinguished from the latter by having two types of hairs on its stems, wider leaf blades, longer corolla length, and ellipsoid nutlets with a narrowly U-shaped exten...

The genus Philadelphus (Hydrangeaceae) in South Korea is critically revised based on macro- and micro-morphological characteristics from over 1,000 herbarium specimens, and fresh material from wild populations. Findings show that: (1) The presence/absence and the density of the hairs on the disk, pistil, calyx, leaves, and petiole and the degree of...

Here, we aimed to identify important plant areas (IPAs) in the Fergana Valley, one of the most densely human-populated regions in Central Asia with a diverse array of endemic and endangered species. The IPA programme in FV aims to identify and protect a global network of plant conservation sites. We conducted a field survey from 2018 to 2021 to re-...

The Altai Mountains of central Asia are biologically rich and comprise a wide diversity of ecosystems and lineages, including numerous endemic vascular plant species. Here we provide an updated checklist of the endemic vascular flora of the Altai Mountains with more taxa and higher geographic resolution than previously reported, as well as first mo...

Biodiversity inventory is critically important due to the increasing anthropogenic pressure and destruction of habitats, as well as the associated increasing threat of extinction of species occurring in a certain area or even globally. Plant diversity information is fundamental for biodiversity research and conservation. In this regard, there is an...

Biological surfaces in plants are critical for controlling essential functions such as wettability, adhesion, and light management, which are linked to their adaptation, survival, and reproduction. Biomimetically patterned surfaces replicating the microstructures of plant surfaces have become an emerging tool for understanding plant-environment int...

The genus Gueldenstaedtia Fisch. is small genus of Fabaceae that includes four species worldwide. Among these, G. monophylla Fisch and G. verna (Georgi) Boriss. are currently recognized as occurring in Mongolia. Here, we present our findings on G. verna from our recent field surveys in eastern Mongolia in 2020. Gueldenstaedtia monophylla is mostly...

New data on the distribution of 40 species from the families Asteraceae, Cystopteridaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae, and Woodsiaceae in Mongolia are presented in the article. For the first time, Centaurea cyanus, Cystopteris almaatensis, Potentilla × habievii, Potentilla salsa, and Potentilla smirnovii are indicated for the...

In this study, we critically revised and updated the checklist of native vascular plants of Mongolia. The checklist comprises 3,041 native vascular plant taxa (2,835 species and 206 infraspecific species) from 653 genera and 111 families, including 7 lycophytes, 41 ferns, 21 gymnosperms, and 2,972 angiosperms. In the angiosperms, we identified the...

In this study, we investigated four aquatic plants, namely Nuphar pumila (Timm) DC. and Nymphaea candida C.Presl in Nympaeaceae as well as Menyanthes trifoliata L. and Nymphoides peltata (S.G. Gmel.) Kuntze in Menyanthaceae from Mongolia based on field surveys, herbariums, and scientific literature. Additionally, we carefully examined for Nymphaea...

In the present article, we provided grid distribution maps of vascular plants in Mongolia based on a 40 x 40 km2 grid cell size. We selected 40 native vascular plant species, belonging to 31 genera and 17 families. With the exception of a few species, the majority of species are distributed in Asian countries, including the Asian parts of Russia. M...

Arctium tomentosum Mill. (Asteraceae), from Ulaanbaatar in the Khentei phytogeographical region of Mongolia, is recognized here as a new genus and species of the flora of Mongolia. Arctium differs from other genera of Asteraceae by the hooked apex of the involucral bracts. While A. tomentosum is most similar to A. lappa, it is easily distinguished...

The aim of the present study is to update the checklist of vascular plants endemic to Mongolia using previous checklists, publications, herbarium collections, and field observations. The revised checklist includes 102 endemic taxa (95 species, five subspecies, and two nothospecies) from 43 genera and 19 families. The majority of endemic taxa were d...

Tulips are bulbous geophytes that have considerable commercial value worldwide. This genus primarily originated in the Tien Shan and Pamir-Alai mountain ranges, which surround the Ferghana Valley. The Ferghana Valley is home to five sections of the genus Tulipa L, represented by 23 taxa (22 species). However, there is a lack of detailed information...

The genus Hosta, which has a native distribution in temperate East Asia and a number of species ranging from 23 to 40, represents a taxonomically important and ornamentally popular plant. Despite its taxonomic and horticultural importance, the genus Hosta has remained taxonomically challenging owing to insufficient diagnostic features, continuous m...

Carex capricornis Meinsh. ex Maxim. (Cyperaceae) is reported from Khar-Us Lake in Khovd Province, western Mongolia. This is the first report of C. capricornis from Mongolia and is considered to be at the westernmost range of its distribution.

Evaporation-induced particle aggregation in drying droplets is of significant importance in the prevention of pathogen transfer due to the possibility of indirect fomite transmission of the infectious virus particles. In this study, particle aggregation was directionally controlled using contact line dynamics (pinned or slipping) and geometrical gr...

Orchidaceae is a diverse, globally important plant family with high conservation assessment and prioritization requirements. The checklist of Orchidaceae in Mongolia was updated based on herbarium materials, literature, and field observations. Mongolian orchids were revised as comprising 26 taxa belonging to 14 genera with major updates were conduc...

Taxonomic identity of Allium stenodon in the Korean peninsula.

The Dzungarian Gobi (DzG), one of 16 phytogeographical regions in the country, is located in the southwestern part of Khovd province in western Mongolia. It comprises some of Mongolia’s largest reserves, namely the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area and the National Park Bulgan gol-Ikh Ongog. We conducted a comprehensive survey of the area’s flor...

Allium section Rhizirideum is reviewed for South Korea and neighboring northeastern China based on critical observation of wild populations and herbarium materials. Species delimitations are re-evaluated on the basis of morphological and somatic chromosome numbers, resulting in the recognition of five species. Allium dumebuchum from Ulleungdo Islan...

We investigated the seed testa sculpture of twenty-four species belonging to thirteen sections and five subgenera of Allium from the herbarium materials or collected from plants in living collections. Seed testa sculpture of 21 species were described for the first time in this study. According to our results, the straight anticlinal wall and one la...

Pedicularis incarnata L. is added as a new record to the flora of Mongolia, which we found from a mixed forest in the Renchinlkhumbe soum, Khuvsgul aimag, northwestern Mongolia. This species was known previously from Western and Eastern Siberia of Russia. Notes on taxonomy, a distribution map, photographs, and an overview of specimens examined are...