Rhododendron schlippenbachii
Species of plant
Rhododendron
schlippenbachii, the royal azalea, is a species of Rhododendron native to the
Korean Peninsula and adjacent regions of Manchuria (Liaoning, Nei Mongol),
Japan, and the Russian Far East. I…
Rhododendron schlippenbachii
Rhododendron schlippenbachii, the royal
azalea, is a species of Rhododendron native
to the Korean Peninsula and adjacent regions
of Manchuria (Liaoning, Nei Mongol), Japan, and the Russian Far East.
It is the dominant understory shrub in many Korean hillside forests, growing at
400–1,500 m (1,300–4,900 ft) altitude.
It is a dense deciduous shrub growing to
4.5 m (15 ft) in height, but more commonly 1–2 m
(3.3–6.6 ft) tall. The leaves are
obovate, 4.5 cm (1.8 in) long and 2.5–4.5 cm (0.98–1.77 in)
broad, with scattered glandular hairs. The flowers are
white to pink, often with small red spots on the upper three petals; they are
produced in late spring to early summer.
The scientific name schlippenbachii is
derived from Baron von Schlippenbach, a
Russian officer who collected the species in 1854.
Cultivation and symbolism[edit]
In Korea, it is called cheoljjuk (철쭉) and if the
color of the petals is white, the flower is called huincheoljjuk (흰철쭉).[1][2] The Royal
Azalea is commonly chosen as a local symbol in South Korea,
by provinces, cities and counties such as Gangwon Province, Gapyeong and Miryang.
It is widely cultivated in many parts of the world;
some cultivars bear
white flowers. The fruit is egg-shaped and oval, 1.5 cm (0.59 in)
long, with glandular hair, which ripen in October. Azaleas are poisonous and
can not be eaten.
Hardiness Zone: 4
