Autumn’s arrival in Seoul was clearly marked today as the seeds from the female Ginkgo trees began to fall. As romantic as this may sound, this phenomenon is the reason why female Ginkgoes are not planted in the United States, as the fleshy seeds are tainted with rancid smelling butyric acid. Fortunately, waste management is out in force sweeping up the seeds, which look a lot like crab apples, but certain parts of the city are bound to get a lot smellier in the next week or so.
In other news, today is the beginning Chuseok, the three day Korean harvest festival. Koreans compare it to our Thanksgiving, and it is a time to be spent with family and enjoy the fruits of a good harvest. Happy Chuseok everyone!
LEARN KOREAN – ginkgo nut:
unhaeng
