Rare cycad flowers, known for blooming once every century, have captured the attention of visitors at the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo. The flowering of this ancient plant aligns with the expo's mission to promote the island's natural environment and ecological value.
The organizing committee for the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo confirmed on October 19 that cycad flowers have bloomed near the main event area, specifically in the Jobaldo Forest adjacent to the Dining and Market Island A, and has installed informational signs for visitors.
The blooming cycad is a female flower, showcasing a unique structure with reddish fruits nestled among its brown, feather-like formations.
Cycads are considered "living fossils," having existed on Earth for approximately 200 million years. They are dioecious plants, meaning male and female flowers have distinctly different appearances, and their blooming periods vary depending on environmental conditions.
While folklore suggests that cycads bloom once every century, this belief stems from the rarity of witnessing their flowering. In reality, not all cycads follow a 100-year cycle for blooming.
Nevertheless, the rare sight of cycad flowers provides a unique opportunity for visitors at the expo to observe nature.
The belief that seeing cycad flowers brings good luck has led many visitors to take photos against this floral backdrop.
The organizing committee has placed signs at the blooming site, detailing the plant's characteristics and the significance of its flowering.
The blooming of the cycad transcends mere natural phenomena, connecting to the expo's themes of ecological preservation and the value of life.
The resilience of cycads, which have survived through changing environments over millennia, serves as a reminder of the importance of the island's unique natural environment and ecosystem.
This message is further illustrated by the "Tree of Life" exhibition at the entrance of the theme island.
The Tree of Life is an exhibition space that utilizes advanced technologies such as LED lighting, video screens, and robotic arms to express the island's vitality and future.
Notably, the robotic arms integrated into the tree symbolize the healing of environmental challenges and scars the island has faced through modern technology.
The cycad flowers, showcasing nature's vitality, and the Tree of Life, representing the future of the island through technology, convey the necessity of ecological preservation and coexistence in different ways.
Beyond the Tree of Life, exhibitions explore the formation processes and ecological characteristics of islands from around the world.
Visual materials introduce various island formation principles, including volcanic islands, sedimentary islands, eroded islands, and coral islands, while quizzes and information help visitors easily understand the geographical features and ecological diversity of islands.
Additionally, the exhibition highlights not only the island's natural environment but also the lives and cultures of its residents, encouraging visitors to view the island as a unique ecological and living space rather than just a tourist destination.
The organizing committee hopes that the blooming of the cycad flowers will provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the natural and exhibition content throughout the expo and understand the value of the island.
Lee Young-min, head of the public relations and marketing team for the Yeosu World Island Expo, stated, "The cycad, which has taken a long time to bloom, and the Tree of Life, which expresses the value and future of the island, convey the preciousness of life in different ways. We hope visitors will discover the vitality and value of the island through these two spaces and reflect on how to pass on our precious natural and cultural heritage to future generations."
Meanwhile, the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, themed "Islands Connecting the Sea and the Future," will run until November 4 at the main event venue in the Jinsan area of Yeosu, as well as in the Yeosu World Expo area and the islands of Gaedo and Geumo. The organizing committee is promoting the importance of sustainable development and conservation of islands through various exhibitions and experiential programs that combine the island's ecology, culture, and future technologies.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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