Practical
Plants

Rhododendron anthopogon

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Rhododendron genus in the family Ericaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many members have poisonous leaves. The pollen of many if not all species of rhododendrons is also probably toxic, being said to cause intoxication when eaten in large quantities[3].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The flowers are used as a tea substitute[7].

Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The stems and leaves of the sub-species R. anthopogon hypenanthum are used in Tibetan herbalism[5]. They have a sweet, bitter and astringent taste and they promote heat[5]. They are antitussive, diaphoretic and digestive and are used to treat lack of appetite, coughing and various skin disorders[5]. In Nepal, the leaves are boiled and the vapour inhaled to treat coughs and colds[7]. The flowers of the sub-species R. anthopogon hypenanthum are also used in Tibetan medicine, having a sweet taste and neutral potency[5]. They are antitussive, febrifuge and tonic, being used in the treatment of inflammations, lung disorders and general weakening of the body[5]. They are also used when water and locality are not agreeable due to a change of environment[5].

Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The dried leaves are used as incense[7].

Product or use
Incense

Environment

Range
E. Asia - W. China to the Himalayas.
Habitat
Moist open slopes, hillsides, ledges of cliffs and in thickets at elevations of 3000 - 4500, occasionally to 5000 metres[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn and given artificial light. Alternatively sow the seed in a lightly shaded part of the warm greenhouse in late winter or in a cold greenhouse in April. Surface-sow the seed and do not allow the compost to become dry[4]. Pot up the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter. Layering in late July. Takes 15 - 24 months[8]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame. Difficult[8].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in a most humus-rich lime-free soils except those of a dry arid nature or those that are heavy or clayey[1]. Prefers a peaty or well-drained sandy loam[1]. Succeeds in sun or shade, the warmer the climate the more shade a plant requires[4]. A pH between 4.5 and 5.5 is ideal[1]. Succeeds in a woodland though, because of its surface-rooting habit[4], it does not compete well with surface-rooting trees[1]. Plants need to be kept well weeded, they dislike other plants growing over or into their root system, in particular they grow badly with ground cover plants, herbaceous plants and heathers[4]. Plants form a root ball and are very tolerant of being transplanted, even when quite large, so long as the root ball is kept intact[4]. The whole plant is strongly aromatic with a slightly acrid odour, especially when crushed[2]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  5. Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India 1994-00-00 ISBN 81-900489-0-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  7. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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