RHODODENDRON FLOWER

Description:-

Rhododendron is a genus characterized by shrubs and small to (rarely) large trees, the smallest species growing to 10–100 centimetres (3.9–39 in) tall, and the largest, R. giganteum, reported to over 30 metres (98 ft) tall. The leaves are spirally arranged; leaf size can range from 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) to over 50 cm (20 in), exceptionally 100 cm (39 in) in R. sinogrande. They may be either evergreen or deciduous. In some species the underside of the leaves is covered with scales (lepidote) or hairs (indumentum). Some of the best known species are noted for their many clusters of large flowers. There are alpine species with small flowers and small leaves, and tropical species such as section Vireya that often grow as epiphytes. Species in this genus may be part of the heath complex in oak-heath forests in eastern North America.

 

Taxonomy:-

The species are organized by subgenus, section, subsection and series.

Subdivisions:-

Subgenera:-

There are four large and four small subgenera:

• Subgenus Rhododendron L.: small leaf or lepidotes (with scales on the underside of their leaves); several hundred species, type: Rhododendron ferrugineum.
  • The tropical rhododendrons (sect. Vireya, about 300 species) are usually included as a section in this subgenus, but sometimes split off as a ninth subgenus.
• Subgenus Hymenanthes (Blume) K.Koch: large leaf or elepidotes (without scales on the underside of their leaves); about 140 species, type: Rhododendron degronianum.
• Subgenus Pentanthera G.Don: deciduous azaleas; about 25 species, type Rhododendron luteum.
• Subgenus Tsutsusi: evergreen azaleas, about 110 species; type Rhododendron indicum.
• Subgenus Azaleastrum Planch.: five species; type Rhododendron ovatum.
• Subgenus Candidastrum (Sleumer) Philipson & Philipson: one species; Rhododendron albiflorum.
• Subgenus Mumeazalea: one species, Rhododendron semibarbatum.
• Subgenus Therorhodion: one species, Rhododendron camtschaticum.

Species

A garden with tall Rhododendrons in Lynnwood, Washington

Species include:

• Rhododendron arboreum – Tree Rhododendron
• Rhododendron arborescens – Sweet Azalea
• Rhododendron atlanticum – Dwarf Azalea
• Rhododendron boninense – a rare Japanese azalea
• Rhododendron calendulaceum – Flame Azalea
• Rhododendron canadense – Rhodora
• Rhododendron catawbiense – Catawba Rhododendron
• Rhododendron chapmanii – Chapman's Rhododendron
• Rhododendron ferrugineum – Alpenrose
• Rhododendron groenlandicum – Bog Labrador Tea
• Rhododendron hirsutum – Hairy Alpenrose
• Rhododendron lochiae – Australian Rhododendron
• Rhododendron luteum – Yellow or Honeysuckle Azalea
• Rhododendron macrophyllum – Pacific Coast Rhododendron
• Rhododendron maximum – Great or American Rhododendron
• Rhododendron moulmainense – Westland's Rhododendron
• Rhododendron mucronulatum - Korean Rhododendron (Korean Rosebay)
• Rhododendron nilgiricum
• Rhododendron occidentale
• Rhododendron oreotrephes
• Rhododendron periclymenoides – Pinxterflower
• Rhododendron ponticum
• Rhododendron schlippenbachii
• Rhododendron spinuliferum
• Rhododendron tomentosum

Hybrids

Rhododendrons are extensively hybridized in cultivation, and natural hybrids often occur in areas where species ranges overlap. There are over 28,000 cultivars of Rhododendron in the International Rhododendron Registry held by the Royal Horticultural Society. Most have been bred for their flowers, but a few are of garden interest because of ornamental leaves and some for ornamental bark or stems.

 Rhododendron 'President Roosevelt'

 

 source : http://en.wikipedia.org

Rhododendron in Nepal 

During march and april the rhododendron trees are in full blossom. There are plenty of them around Gorepani, Tatopani and on the way to Gandrung. In this season you will see the mountain mainly in the morning and it can rain regularly in the afternoon. still is a marvellous season for trekking. 

Dhaulagiri

Rhododendron is Nepal’s national flower of and found especially in the hilly areas above 1200m altitude. It blossoms from March to May in the spring season. The mid mountain vertical belt between 2,000 and 4,000 m serves as the 'wild' preserve of the rhodododendron, or GURANS and CHIMAL, the two words being used in Nepali. Below are the major areas for Rhododendron:

tree of rhododendro

1.  Langtang national park, near from Kathmandu
2. Makalubarun national park
3. Milke Danda-Jaljale Himal, a transverse mountain range which separates the two river systems of the Tamur and the Arun
4.  Upper Tamur River Valley

rhododendron forest of hills in nepal

 There are 30 original kinds of Rhododendron and the one that is widespread throughout the country and not found elsewhere, is Rhododendron lowndesit. It has a lemon or velvety yellow flowers, which are short & well-shaped and are retiring or in pairs on the branch. It can be found near Muktinath and Phoksundo of western Nepal. Very grand sightings ohttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7348670829564568012f Rhododendron can be assured in the south west side of Kanchenjunga area & the upper side valley of the Tamur river system. Nine species of Rhododendron can be observed In the upper area of Langtang Valley at around 2000m. The best time is from late March to mid June, and in addition to the Rhododendron, spring blooms of wild poppy, magnolia and primrose will undoubtedly make any trek a memorable one.

Rhododendron Trek in Nepal:-

8 days special rhododendron trek in Nepal. See rhododendron forests near the famous Himalayan Viewpoint of Poon Hill in full bloom. Enjoy magnificent mountain views on Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Hiunchuli and Mount Macchapuchare.


Facts Of Trip
Time of Rhododendron trek Poon Hill is from half March till half may.Other famous rhododendron areas in Nepal are:

- Makalu Barun National Park (Makalu Base Camp trek)

- Milke Danda

- Upper Tamur river
 

Outline Itinerary:-

Day 1 Arrival Kathmandu
Day 2 Kathmandu - Pokhara
Day 3 Pokhara - Naya Pull - Tikhedunga
Day 4 Tikhedunga - Ghorepani
Day 5 Ghorepani (Poon Hill) - Tadapani
Day 6 Tadapani - Ghandruk
Day 7 Ghandruk - Naya Pull - Pokhara
Day 8 Pokhara - Kathmandu 

Detail Itinerary :-

Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
Meet our representative at Kathmandu airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 2 Kathmandu - Pokhara
Early morning private transport from Kathmandu to Pokhara. During the drive we will already have stunning views on the mighty Himalaya massifs which rise above 8.000m, like Manaslu and Annapurna. Stay in hotel in Pokhara.
Day 3 Pokhara - Kathmandu
We will start trekking from Naya Pull after a 1,5 hour drive with a private vehicle from Pokhara.
After 15 minutes short walk along the bank of the Modi Khola, we reach Birethanti (1.015 meters) a large village that has many shops and teahouses. From there, the trail continues through the village. The trail follows the north bank of the Bhurungdi Khola. From there, the trail climbs steadily up the side of the valley to Hille at 1.495m and after the short climb, we reach Tikhedhunga at 1.570 meters. Today�s walk offers a short and relatively easy day, during the journey which allows us to become used to the experience of trekking in Nepal.
Day 4  Tikhedunga - Ghorepani
Leaving Tikhedunga, we begin our journey with a steep climb to Ulleri. Ulleri is a large Magar village at 2.070 meters. The trail then continues to ascend more gently, through fine forests of oak and rhododendrons towards Banthanti at 2.250 meters. Then we trek towards Nangethanti at 2.460m. After another hour of walking through rhododendron forests we will finally reach Ghorepani at 2.900 meters.
Day 5 Ghorepani - Poon Hill - Tadapani
Today, very early in the morning, we start an hour hiking to Poon Hill at elevation of 3.210 meters, a brilliant spectacle; this vantage point provides a superb view of sunrise over the high Himalayas, including the Annapurnas, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhare.
In Poon Hill we will spend about 1 hour, we then return to Ghorepani we take a hot breakfast at the hotel and continue our trek to Tadapani (2.600 meters).
Along the trail towards Tadapani, we make climb along ridges and through pine- and rhododendron forests. Our final destination for today, Tadapani, offers magnificent views of Machhapuchhare and Annapurna South.
Day 6 Tadapani - Ghandrung
Ghandrung (1.950m) is a large, prosperous Gurung village and after arrival we have time to explore the maze of narrow alleyways separating the neat slate-roofed houses and watch the sunlight on Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.
Day 7 Ghandrung - Pokhara
From Ghandrung we descend to Syauli Bazaar. From Syauli Bazaar it is a pleasant easy walk following the river to Birethanti (1.040m) where we cross the bridge. A short walk from the village brings us to the road at Naya Pull where we take transport for the 1 hour drive into Pokhara.
Day 8 Pokhara - Kathmandu
Transfer back from Pokhara to Kathmandu by private transport. Spend the rest of the day in Kathmandu at leisure.

Thanks,