Rhododendron sutchuenense: Like It Sour

It is full of miracles in the spring in Shennongjia. You might see the sea of flower, of Rhododendron sutchuenense. At the top, in the valley, and on the plains in Shennongjia, bloom seas and seas of Rhododendron sutchuenense, all in full spirit.

Nearby is the fir, the tall fir.

Yes, Rhododendron sutchuenense in the mountains keep the fir company. Fir can shelter Rhododendron sutchuenense from wind, rain and sun, and its fallen leaves can make fertilizer. Rhododendrons may look carefree, but they are actually picky. The altitude should be high, the climate should be cool and humid, the soil should be loose and rich in humus, and it must be acidic. There should be light but it's not resistant to exposure, especially in summer and autumn, it should be protected from the scorching sun. There are also the so-called seven loves and dreads. It loves acidity, wetness, coolness, shade, light wind, humidity and fertility, but it dreads alkali, waterlogging, heat, hard light, high wind, dryness and excess fertility.

People from different places have different tastes, sweet for the south, salty for the north, spicy for the east and sour for the west. Rhododendron requires a soil pH of 4-5.5 and is a typical indicator plant for acidic soils in central, southern, and southwestern China. We learned in high school about the pH scale used to measure acidity and alkalinity. For plants, soil pH affects whether nutrients can be absorbed and utilized by the roots. When the soil pH is around 6.5, various nutrients can be utilized. A soil pH of 7.0 is considered neutral. If the pH is less than 7.0, the soil is acidic. If the pH is greater than 7.0, the soil is alkaline. The main factor affecting soil pH is precipitation. Calcium and magnesium in the soil can neutralize acidity and increase pH. The more it rains, the more the calcium and magnesium are lost in the soil, and the more acidic the soil will be. In southern China, there is more precipitation and the soil tends to be acidic, while in northern China, the soil tends to be alkaline. As a member of the huge rhododendron family, Rhododendron sutchuenense also loves sour taste.

Though called Rhododendron sutchuenense, it is not only distributed in Sichuan, but also in southwestern Shaanxi, southeastern and northwestern Gansu, northwestern Hubei, northwestern Hunan and Guizhou. In Shennongjia, they grow in forests at an altitude of 1,600-2,500 meters.

The warmth of the rhododendron, the coldness of the fir and the dazzle of the sunbird mingle at a certain moment in Shennongjia.（Written by Shuiyi, Reviewed by Jiang Mingxi, Photography by Jiang Zhiguo）

 

Rhododendron sutchuenense

Order: Ericales

Family: Ericaceae

Genus: Rhododendron

Identification Key:

Rhododendron sutchuenense grow into evergreen shrubs or small trees, ranging from 1 to 8 meters tall. Its bark is from dark brown to tan, its sprout green, covered by a thin layer of off-white tomentum. Its leaves are leathery, oblanceolate oblong, at the top grow short racemes. Its corolla is funnel-shaped and bell-shaped in rose-red, with dark red spots above the inner surface. There is white tomentum and large dark red spots near the base. Its capsule is oblong-elliptical, green, slightly ribbed. The flowering phase is from April to May, and the fruiting period is from August to October.

Geographic distribution in China: