Byeonggyul
Byeonggyul in standard Korean and benjul in Jeju, Citrus platymamma, is a Korean citrus fruit native to Jeju Island.
Etymology
Jeju benjul and Korean byeonggyul are cognates. They share the same Hanja characters: byeong and gyul.Tamnaji, a chronicle of Jeju Island published in 1653 by a Joseon governor, Yi Wŏnjin, mentions byeonggyul using the name byeolgyul. According to the author, the fruit is usually called byeonggyul, because its shape tapers towards the top and resembles an upside down jongji.
History
Two old byeonggyul trees in Doryeon-dong were designated as treasures of Jeju on 7 January 1998; However, one died on 5 October 2005. The remaining tree was designated as a Natural Monument of South Korea on 13 January 2011. It is presumed to be around 250 years old, and can be found at 21, Doryeon 6-gil, Jeju, Jeju Province.In 2010, several 80-year-old byeonggyul trees were transplanted to Geummul orchard, an orchard once set out for growing citruses consumed at the court of the Joseon Dynasty. It disappeared with the end of the dynasty and was restored in 2010 by Seogwipo Agricultural Technology Center.
Description
Genomic evidence has suggested that byeonggyul, sweet oranges, and key limes shared a common ancestor. Byeonggyul is known to be more resistant to cold, blight and insect attack than other related citrus fruits.The thornless tree grows to tall and around wide. The dense, thin and low branches give the tree a shrubby appearance. Its leaves are ovate with pointy tips, around long and around wide. The flowers are formed of five white ovate petals.
Like that of the related citruses, the byeonggyul fruit has a fragrant dimpled rind. The yellow to yellow-orange fruit with an elongated basal portion and a bulbous end grows to long and broad. It weighs around.