Rhododendron spinuliferum

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Rhododendron spinuliferum
Rhododendron spinuliferum -1.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Rhododendron
Species:
R. spinuliferum
Binomial name
Rhododendron spinuliferum

Rhododendron spinuliferum is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae, native to Yunnan and Sichuan, China.

Contents

Description

habit, cult. Kunming Botanic Garden Rhododendron spinuliferum - Kunming Botanical Garden - DSC02863.JPG
habit, cult. Kunming Botanic Garden

Rhododendron spinuliferum grows as an evergreen shub 0.5 to 3.5 m (1.6 to 11.5 ft) high. It has delicate oval or lanceolate (spear-shaped) leaves 3 to 10.5 cm (1.2 to 4.1 in) long by 1.8 to 3.8 cm (0.71 to 1.50 in) wide, with cuneate (wedge-shaped) bases and pointed tips. [1] The red tube-shaped flowers appear from February to June. [1] [2] These tubular corollas and tapered ends are unusual for the genus. [3]

Taxonomy

French botanist Adrien René Franchet described Rhododendron spinuliferum in 1895. Two subspecies are recognised. [1] Within the genus Rhododendron , it lies in the subgenus Rhododendron and section Rhododendron. Analysis of its DNA shows it is most closely related to R. triflorum , the two sister species having R. keiskei as the next closest relative. However, the section appears to be polyphyletic, with these species early offshoots of the section Vireya. [4]

Distribution and habitat

The range is southwestern Sichuan and northeastern to western Yunnan at altitudes ranging from 1,900 to 2,500 m (6,200 to 8,200 ft), in coniferous forests with Keteleeria , or mixed conifer and deciduous forest with oak ( Quercus ), [1] in shaded areas and thickets. [2]

Cultivation and uses

In cultivation, Rhododendron spinuliferum grows best in acidic soils of pH 4–6 with a shady aspect and significant organic material in the soil, [2] although excess shade will result in few flowers and leggy habit. Readily propagated by seed or cuttings, it flowers in four to five years from seed. [3]

Hybrid cultivars derived from this species include:

Chinese traditional medicine

Rhododendron spinuliferum has been used in Chinese traditional medicine to remove phlegm and treat asthma. [5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Rhododendron spinuliferum Franchet". Flora of China. eFlora. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Blue Mountains Botanic Garden; Mt Tomah. "Rhododendron spinuliferum "A Unique Rhododendron"". Plant of the Month. Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  3. 1 2 Brydon, P.H. (November 1948). "Rhododendron spinuliferum". Journal American Rhododendron Society. 2 (4).
  4. ↑ Craven, L.A.; Goetsch, L.A.; Hall, B.D.; Brown, G.K. (2008). "Classification of the Vireya group of Rhododendron (Ericaceae)" (PDF). Blumea. 53 (2): 435–42. doi:10.3767/000651908X608070.
  5. ↑ Chen, G.; Jin, H. Z.; Li, X. F.; Zhang, Q.; Shen, Y. H.; Yan, S. K.; Zhang, W. D. (2008). "A new chromone glycoside from Rhododendron spinuliferum". Archives of Pharmacal Research. 31 (8): 970–972. doi:10.1007/s12272-001-1253-y. PMID   18787782. S2CID   11304623.
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