The Korea National Arboretum (KNA) of Korea Forest Service announced that it has successfully developed a propagation by cutting technique that enables the rapid and stable propagation of Amsonia elliptica, a rare plant of the Korean Peninsula. The study was conducted in collaboration with Gyeongkuk National University as part of KNA's research project on the development of mass propagation technology for native plants.

This technology involves briefly dipping the cut stem into a water-soluble auxin (a plant growth hormone) as a pretreatment before planting. Experimental results showed a rooting rate of 93.3% with an average of 17 roots formed per cutting, confirming that the method allows stable seedling production. The technology is also highly applicable in the field because it requires readily available materials and involves a simple procedure.

Amsonia elliptica is seldom observed in the western and southern islands and some areas along the east coast of Korea. Due to its scattered distribution and small population size, it is considered in urgent need of protection. KNA expects that this propagation technique will contribute not only to ex situ conservation in arboreta and botanical gardens but also to the production of healthy seedlings necessary for habitat restoration research.

The findings of this study were published in the December 2025 issue of the international journal Rhizosphere.