Introduction to Rhododendron 1 The appearance characteristics of Rhododendron, whose Latin signature comes from Greek, which means rose, is one of the most famous flowers in the world today. It is listed among the top ten famous flowers in China and is known as "the beauty of flowers". Rhododendrons are woody flowers, and wild rhododendrons are mostly small shrubs and trees with a height of 1~2 meters, which are evergreen and deciduous. The highest azalea is as high as 10 meter (such as the big azalea), and several people can't hold it in their arms. The shortest rhododendron is less than 15 cm (such as recumbent rhododendron) crawling on the rock surface. A few have terminal flowers (such as fragrant flowers and azaleas) or axillary flowers (such as kenaf and honeysuckle); The smallest single flower is only 1 cm (such as rhododendron), and the largest is about 10 cm (such as rhododendron). Leaves are mostly made of leather, which can reach 50-70cm (such as Rhododendron Camptotheca) and as small as 1 cm (Rhododendron). 2 Distribution of Rhododendrons Rhododendrons are distributed in temperate and subtropical zones in the northern hemisphere, mainly in East Asia and Southeast Asia, with the Hengduan Mountain area in southwest China being the most abundant. China is the origin of Rhododendron, and Yunnan is in its distribution center, growing in high mountains, middle mountains or low mountains at an altitude of 800-5000m, especially in the alpine wetland area in northwest Yunnan at an altitude of 2800-4000m m. The flowering period of wild rhododendron varies with climate and variety. According to our research, the rhododendrons here in Sanming are mostly in February and March. The flowers are tubular, umbrella-shaped and colorful. The species of azaleas are extremely important, and they can be found at an altitude of 5000 meters. According to the research of relevant scholars, there are about 960 species of wild rhododendron in the world, 524 species in China and 306 species in Yunnan. Rhododendrons popular in China can be divided into four types: Dong Juan, Mao Juan, Xi Juan and Xia Juan. Among them, Mao Juan is native to China, and its common name is Jinxiu Rhododendron or Yingshanhong, which is named after its rough and hairy leaves. Rhododendron occidentalis is the most beautiful of the four species, which is loved by the public and is the object of family potted plants. 1. Dong Juan: Rhododendron orientalis, introduced to Japan: smaller, with scattered branches, light leaves and early flowering. There are many colors, dense flowers, small flowers, single or nested petals, and few double petals. 2. Curly hair: namely, Rhododendron splendens and Rhododendron azalea. Tall and stout, with dense brown bristles on young branches and rough and hairy leaves. Can be cultivated in the open field, with diverse colors and large single petal. 3. Rhododendron occidentalis: namely Rhododendron occidentalis, with short stature, early flowering, diverse colors, multiple petals and semi-double petals. This is the one with the most patterns and colors, but it is delicate and afraid of sun and cold. 4. Xia Juan: Native to India and Japan, it is called Rhododendron grandiflora in Japan. First there are branches, then there are flowers. The crown is full and the branches are flourishing. The branches are in the west, and the flowers and colors are as colorful as Xi Juan. 2. Medical geographical value We have a preliminary understanding of it: The representative work Ben Cao Gang Mu by Li Shizhen in the Ming Dynasty also recorded rhododendron: a funnel-shaped flower with sour petals, which can be eaten as fruit, but not too much, otherwise it will lead to nosebleeds. As an important document to study geography and geomorphology, Xu Xiake's travel notes record many kinds of azaleas. 3. Rhododendron culture Rhododendron has a long history, and we have also done some research. There is a beautiful legend. A long time ago, the Baihua sisters agreed to compete with the United States on the Dali Dam in Huadu in spring and choose the "Flower King". The Rhododendron family is very big and has many sisters, so they sent their outstanding Ma Yinghua as their representative to participate in the election. Ma Yinghua thought she was beautiful and didn't care about her sisters, so she came late. Floret got impatient and had to start the election. When Ma Yinghua got dressed and walked slowly to the dam, the crown of "Golden Flower" had already been picked by camellia. Angry Ma Yinghua ran back to the mountain and vowed never to get off the dam again. It was not until later that people praised her everywhere that she was invited down the mountain. Ma Yinghua, whose name comes from the people, is named after the red hydrangea worn by the caravan leader. It can be seen that azaleas are deeply loved by the people. Rhododendron is called "the king of woody flowers" because of its wide distribution and high popularity. As early as 492 AD, there was a book "Notes on Materia Medica" in the Southern and Northern Dynasties, which recorded the traces of azaleas. Since the Tang and Song Dynasties, many poems have been sung by poets and poets. Beautiful azaleas always shine in Shan Ye and are decorated in gardens, which have won people's favor since ancient times. Bai Juyi, Du Mu, Su Dongpo and Xin Qiji in Tang and Song Dynasties, Yang Sheng 'an and Emperor Kangxi in Ming and Qing Dynasties all praised azaleas. When the great poet Li Bai saw the azaleas, he thought of the azaleas in his hometown. He was moved by this scene and missed his hometown. He wrote a famous poem, "Shu once heard of azaleas, but Xuancheng saw azaleas again." One is called, one is ileum, one is broken, and March is three memories. "There is also a beautiful and bizarre legend about azaleas and rhododendrons. According to legend, Du Yu, the ancient king of Shu, loved the people very much. He lived in seclusion after meditation and became a cuckoo after his death, so people called him a cuckoo. Every spring, the cuckoo will fly to wake people up. Fast food! " Mouth shouted blood, blood spilled all over the floor, dyed red azaleas all over the mountain. Li Shizhen's Compendium of Materia Medica in Ming Dynasty also recorded rhododendrons. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, there were also many books about cuckoo. Xu Xiake also mentioned it many times in his travel notes. Because of the value of rhododendron in gardens, as early as the end of 19, many western countries sent people to Yunnan many times to collect a large number of rhododendron specimens and seedlings. Among them, Fries in Britain discovered 309 new species of rhododendrons seven or eight times, and hundreds of species of rhododendrons introduced from Edinburgh Royal Botanical Garden in Britain mostly came from Yunnan. 19 19, Fries discovered the "Rhododendron Giant" tree Rhododendron in Yunnan. It cut down a 280-year-old tree with a height of 25 meters and a DBH of 87 cm, and sawed it into a disc-shaped wood specimen and brought it back to China. It was exhibited in the British Museum in London and publicly exhibited, causing a sensation in the world. It is the pride of Yunnan and the national treasure of China to discover that Rhododendron grandiflora is protected by the state. According to the old people, the azaleas all over the mountain were dyed with the blood of thousands of martyrs in Qian Qian. It records the tragic War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Rhododendron has been integrated into China's long history and culture, becoming an ornament of history and containing the crystallization of the wisdom of working people. On the vast land of the motherland, the mountains and rivers in the southwest frontier are shining with azaleas and their charming colors. -4. Finally, the study of rhododendrons has increased our knowledge. We hope that the study of rhododendron can arouse people's interest in flower culture, love nature and love the country.
Rhododendrons are mostly shrubs and small trees, one or two meters high. For ten days, Rhododendron and Rhododendron purpurea flowers crawled on the rocky ground, only a few centimeters high. There are dozens of feet of azaleas and thousands of flowers. The top of the azalea is an umbrella-shaped tidbit, which consists of several bell-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers, just like a full hydrangea. Most leaves are leathery. They are as big as a batch of handles and as small as nails. There is also a rhododendron with sharp leaves, more than 70 cm long and 20 cm wide. The fruit is a capsule and the seeds are as fine as dust. Sowing must be carefully managed before seedlings can be unearthed.
Rhododendron grows in the mountains, Zhongshan, low mountains and fields at an altitude of 800-4500 meters in Yunnan, with the most abundant species in the mountainous areas of western Yunnan. Especially in the alpine wetlands. Many kinds of evergreen rhododendrons, such as yellow rhododendron, Rhododendron glabra, Rhododendron globosa and Rhododendron latifolia, often form dense rhododendron flowers and pure forests, and there is a "sea of flowers" spectacle of rhododendrons from 10 to 20 kilometers. The flowering period of azaleas varies with climate and varieties. The warm areas in the low mountains are mostly open in February-March, the cool areas in the middle mountains are mostly open in April-June, and the cool areas in the high mountains are mostly open in July-August. Due to the variety, wide distribution and complex ecological environment, the posture and charm of rhododendron flowers are also diverse: some branches are sparse, and some branches are dry; Some are lush, handsome and tall, and some are vigorous and quaint. Its patterns and colors are even more colorful: crimson like fire, golden yellow, crystal blue like treasure, or with spots or stripes, pink, magenta, orange, lavender, yellow with red, red with white, white with green, which is really ever-changing and spectacular. Some have heavy make-up, gorgeous clothes, some have light white, some have red lips and white teeth, and some have refreshing fragrance. They really have their own charm and grace.
Due to the important value of rhododendron in gardens, China's rich and diverse social rhododendron resources have long been coveted by western countries. As early as the beginning of19th century, they sent people to Yunnan many times to collect specimens and seeds, which cost a lot. Today, hundreds of azaleas boasted by the Royal Botanical Garden have been collected and cultivated in Yunnan and have already grown into forests. When the buds are in full bloom, English women and men are touching.
19 19, the British collector frith accidentally discovered the "cuckoo giant"-Rhododendron dendrobii on the west slope of Gaoligong Mountain in Tengchong, Yunnan. Greed drove him to hire a coolie, settle down, raise an axe, cut down the 280-year-old rhododendron which is 25 meters high, 87 centimeters high, and brought back a disc-shaped wood specimen, which is still displayed in the British Museum in London. But 63 years later, in February of 198 1, scientists discovered the highest and largest azalea king known in the world. According to further investigation by Tengchong Forestry Bureau, there are still 12 rhododendrons with DBH above 1 m, the largest of which is 1, with a height of 25m, a diameter of 3.07m and a tree age of over 500 years. The inflorescence of Rhododendron grandiflora is a very beautiful flower cluster, water red. Each inflorescence consists of 20 ~ 24 bell-shaped flowers, with a length of 6 cm-8 cm, a diameter of 6 cm and a inflorescence diameter of 25 cm. This natural tree-Rhododendron, with lush canopy and brilliant flowers like clouds, is the pride of Yunnan and the pride of the motherland!