Rhododendron simsii

Planch.

Ericaceae Edible: Flowers, Vegetable 6,871 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Rhododendron simsii (杜鵑) is a rhododendron species native to East Asia, where it grows at altitudes of 500–2,700 m (1,600–8,900 ft).

Description

A shrub. It grows about 2 m tall. The summer and winter leaves are different. The leaves are oval and 2-5 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. The base is wedge shaped and the edges are rolled. There are fine teeth along the edge. The flowers are in groups of 2-3. They are funnel shaped and red, pink or with dark red flecks.

Edible Uses

The flowers are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Traditional Uses

The flowers are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a temperate to tropical plant. in China it grows in pine forests between 500-2,700 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Mynamar, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Synonyms

Benvenuti, S. & Mazzoncini, M., 2021, The Biodiversity of Edible Flowers: Discovering New Tastes and New Health Benefits. Frontiers in Plant Science Article 569499. Kew Plants of the World Online Liu, Yi-tao, & Long, Chun-Lin, 2002, Studies on Edible Flowers Consumed by Ethnic Groups in Yunnan. Acta Botanica Yunnanica. 24(1):41-56 Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 703 Xu, You-Kai, et al, 2004, Wild Vegetable Resources and Market Survey in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China. Economic Botany. 58(4): 647-667.