Rhododendron delavayi

Franch.

Ericaceae Edible: Flower petals, Flowers 122 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 1-7 m tall. The bark peels off in small irregular flakes. The young shoots have a white covering. The leaves are sword shaped and 7-15 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. They taper to the base and the edges curl under. They are whitish underneath. The flowers are in a round head made up of 10-20 flowers. They have a rusty coating. They are deep red.

Edible Uses

The flower petals and flowers are eaten.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in limestone areas. It grows between 1,200-3,200 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan. In Rhodo gardens.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia*, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam,

Synonyms

Rhododendron arboreum subsp. delavayi (Franch.) D. F. ChamsRhododendron pilovittatum Balf. f. & W. W. Sm.

Also Known As

Kham daeng

References (2)

Liu, Yi-tao, & Long, Chun-Lin, 2002, Studies on Edible Flowers Consumed by Ethnic Groups in Yunnan. Acta Botanica Yunnanica. 24(1):41-56
Thitiprasert, W., et al, 2007, Country report on the State of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Thailand (1997-2004). FAO p 95 (As Rhododendron arboreum ssp. delavayi)