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Rhododendron keysii

Nutt.

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Sangay Wangchuk, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Sangay Wangchuk

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) hyeonsoo_kim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) hyeonsoo_kim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Rhododendron keysii (管花杜鹃) is a rhododendron species native to northeastern India, Bhutan, Sikkim, and southern Tibet, where it grows at altitudes of 2,400–4,300 m (7,900–14,100 ft). It is an evergreen shrub that typically grows to 1–4 m (3.3–13.1 ft) in height, with leathery leaves that are lanceolate-elliptic or lanceolate-oblong in shape, and typically 4–8 × 1–3 cm in size. The flowers are orange or salmon pink to deep red.

Description

A shrub. It grows 1-4 m tall. The leaves are sword shaped and 4-8 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. The flowers are orange to red.

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Edible Uses

The flowers are eaten raw and have sweet pollen.

Traditional Uses

The flowers are eaten raw. The pollen is sweet.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. In Northeastern India it grows between 3,200-3,400 m above sea level. It can grow between 2,400 and 4,300 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Bhutan, China, India, Northeastern India, Sikkim, Tibet,

Synonyms

Rhododendron keysii var. unicolor Hutch.

Also Known As

Guan hua du juan, Taam

References (1)

  • Tsering, J., et al, 2017, Ethnobotanical appraisal on wild edible plants used by the Monpa community of Arunchal Pradesh. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. Vol 16(4), October 2017, pp 626-637

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