Kimjongilia

For the documentary film, see Kimjongilia (film).
Begonia 'Kimjongilhwa'
GenusBegonia
Cultivar groupTuberhybrida Group
Cultivar'Kimjongilhwa'
Kimjongilia
Chosŏn'gŭl
김정일화
Hancha
Revised RomanizationGimjeongilhwa
McCune–ReischauerKimjŏngirhwa

Kimjongilia is a flower named after the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. It is a hybrid cultivar of tuberous begonia, registered as Begonia × tuberhybrida 'Kimjongilhwa'.[1] When Kim Jong Il died in December 2011, the flower was used to adorn his body for public display.[2] Despite its name, the Kimjongilia is not the official national flower of North Korea,[3] which is the Magnolia sieboldii.[4] Another flower, Kimilsungia, is an orchid cultivar named after Kim Jong Il's father and predecessor, Kim Il Sung.[3]

  1. ^ "ABS Registered Begonias (G - O)". American Begonia Society. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Succession in North Korea: Grief and fear", The Economist, December 31, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Minahan, James (2010). The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems. Vol. 1. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-313-34497-8.
  4. ^ Lim, Reuben C. J. (29 June 2013). "Floral Emblems of the world". anbg.gov.au. Australian National Herbarium. Retrieved 9 September 2016.