Rhododendron is found throughout Northern Hemisphere except for dry areas, and extending into the Southern Hemisphere in southeastern Asia and northern Australasia. Rhododendrons as big leathery leafed shrubs.

 

These grow to 10-20 cm tall, and the largest, R. arboreum, reported to 50 m tall. Rhododendron ferrugineum, is a species from the European Alps and is also known as the Alpine Rose.

 

Rhododendrons  are shrubs with round clusters of white, pink, red, or purple blooms. The leaves are spirally arranged; leaf size can range from 1-2 cm to over 50 cm, exceptionally 100 cm in R. sinogrande. They may be either evergreen or deciduous. In some species the underside of the leaves are covered with scales (lepidote) or hairs (indumentum).

 

Rhododendron flowers are usually produced in trusses. Rhododendrons are referred to as the King of Shrubs since they are regarded by many as the best flowering evergreen plants for the temperate landscape.

 

Rhododendron has been bred for their flowers, but a few are of garden interest because of ornamental leaves and some for ornamental bark or stems. All the parts of Rhododendrons are dangerous, especially leaves, showing symptoms of Stomach irritation, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rate and rhythm, convulsions, coma, death. Honey made from the nectar of Rhododendron flowers is also toxic and should not be consumed.

 

Did you know?

·        The name Rhododendron comes from the Greek: rhodos, "rose", and dendron, "tree".

·        It has a huge-over 1000 species.

·        Rhododendron macrophyllum is Washington’s State flower.

·        Rhododendron was discovered by the 16th century Flemish botanist, Charles l'Ecluse.

·        Rhododendron was introduced to Britain in 1656 from the European Alps, and so the name Alpine Rose for Rhododendron histrum.

·        Rhododendron is also the national flower of Nepal, and the state flower of Sikkim in India.