지역 유산에서 세계 시장으로- 안동 재래종 유래 무궁화 신품종의 수출 성과와 세계화- = From Local Heritage to Global Markets- Export Performance and Globalization of New Hibiscus syriacus

국문 초록 (Abstract)

본 연구는 우리나라 지역 유전자원인 안동 재래종 무궁화 (Hibiscus syriacus var. micranthus)를 기반으로 육성된 신품종들의 육종계보, 형태적⋅생육적 특성, 개화 특성, 지식재산권 등록 및 해외 상업화를 분석하였다. 안동 재래종을 활용한 품종들은 화색, 수형, 개화 기간 등에서 다양한 표현형을 보였으며, ‘움찬세종’, ‘니어심’ 등 왜성형 품종은 실내 분재⋅분화용으로, ‘매헌’, ‘선암’, ‘세인트마리아’ 등 무단심 품종은 글로벌 시장에서 경쟁력이 높은 것으로 평가되었다. 특히 ‘Antong Two’(Lil Kim®), ‘SHIM RV24’(Lil Kim® Violet), ‘SHIM CR1’(Ruffled Satin®)은 미국과 캐나다에서 식물특허를 획득하고 Proven Winners® 브랜드를 통해 상업화에 성공하였다.
Lil Kim®은 2007년 출시 후 미국에서 최고 26,246주의 연간 판매량을 기록하며 대표 품종으로 자리매김하였다. 이들 성과는 안동재래종의 왜성 수형, 조밀한 수관, 소형 화색 등 독창적 형질이 세계 시장 요구와 부합했음을 보여준다. 결론적으로 안동 재래종은극왜성, 수양형, 무단심 등 차세대 품종 개발에 유용한 자원으로서 무궁화를 국가 상징을 넘어 국제적 고부가가치 관상식물로 발전시키는 핵심 기반임이 확인되었다.

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The Andong landrace of Hibiscus syriacus (H. syriacus var. micranthus) has long been recognized for its genetic richness, and its use in breeding has produced cultivars with substantial phenotypic diversity regarding floral color, plant architecture, flowering duration, and growth potential. This diversity highlights the potential of the Andong landrace as a superior source for developing next-generation ornamental cultivars. This study investigated the morphological traits, growth performance, flowering characteristics, intellectual property (IP) registration, and international commercialization of new H. syriacus cultivars developed from the Andong landrace, a valuable regional genetic resource in Korea. Dwarf cultivars including “Umchan Sejong,” “Near Shim,” and “Hi Lea” demonstrated strong suitability for indoor ornamental applications, whereas unique forms such as “Maehun,” “Seonam,” and “Saint Maria,” which lack a central eyespot, displayed significant market potential based on their distinctive floral aesthetics. These novel traits reflect the ability of the Andong landrace to produce cultivars that meet evolving consumer demands in global ornamental markets. In particular, Andong-derived cultivars have achieved international recognition. “Antong Two” (Lil Kim®), “SHIM RV24” (Lil Kim® Violet), and “SHIM CR1” (Ruffled Satin®) were granted plant patents in the United States and Canada, underscoring the international IP value of germplasms derived from native Korean resources. Their successful commercialization through the Proven Winners® brand and Spring Meadow Nursery demonstrated the global competitiveness of Andong-derived cultivars. Among these, Lil Kim®, released in 2007, achieved the highest cumulative sales, peaking at more than 26,000 units in 2016. Its commercial success was attributed to its compact growth features, dwarf canopy, and small but vividly colored flowers, traits strongly linked to the genetic background of the Andong landrace. Morphological evaluations confirmed that many Andong-derived cultivars retained key features of the original landrace, such as ovate leaves, dense branching, and extended blooming duration. At the same time, hybridization expanded phenotypic variation, resulting in broader leaves, deeper pigmentation, overlapping petals, and novel growth features, thereby enhancing both ornamental appeal and market value. Significant differences in leaf dimensions, petiole length, and floral morphology were observed among the tested cultivars, confirming the utility of the Andong landrace for creating diverse horticultural traits.
In conclusion, the Andong landrace represents a genetically rich and versatile breeding source for developing H. syriacus cultivars with highly desired traits in modern horticulture, including extreme dwarfism, novel flower coloration, weeping or compact forms, and prolonged blooming periods. Collectively, these features elevate Korea’s national flower beyond its symbolic and cultural role to a globally marketable, high-value ornamental crop. By securing IP rights and achieving successful commercialization abroad, Andong-derived cultivars both strengthen Korea’s position in the international ornamental plant industry and contribute to reinforcing plant sovereignty and expanding the global presence of the Rose of Sharon.