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Rhododendron ponticum
  • Rhododendron

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • partial shade
    Partial shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid
    Very acid to Acid
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Rhododendron ponticum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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[1].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Rhododendron ponticum.

Material uses

Plants are being grown as a hedge at the RHS gardens in Wisley, Surrey[2]. It tolerates quite hard clipping[3].
There are no material uses listed for Rhododendron ponticum.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A medicine made from the plant is used to treat heart and circulation malfunctions, but it should not be used without expert supervision[4].

Unknown part

Cardiac

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[3]. 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[5].

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame. Difficult[5].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Rhododendron ponticum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in a most humus-rich lime-free soils except those of a dry arid nature or those that are heavy or clayey[6]. Prefers a peaty or well-drained sandy loam[6]. A pH between 4.5 and 5.5 is ideal[6]. Succeeds in sun or shade, the warmer the climate the more shade a plant requires[7][3].

Hardy to about -15°c[7]. Plants are self-sowing aggressively in British woodlands and are often out-competing native trees by filling the understorey and preventing natural regeneration. They are considered to be a pernicious weed by many environmentalists. Succeeds in a woodland though, because of its surface-rooting habit[3], it does not compete well with surface-rooting trees[6]. 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[3]. 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[3].

Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[3].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Rhododendron ponticum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Rhododendron ponticum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Rhododendron ponticum
Genus
Rhododendron
Family
Ericaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[4]
Material uses & Functions
[2][3]
Botanic
[8][9][3]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Hedge
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
Shade
partial shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    5 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Rhododendron pontica.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rhododendron pontica.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rhododendron pontica.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Rhododendron pontica.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rhododendron pontica.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Rhododendron pontica.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Rhododendron pontica.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Rhododendron pontica.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Rhododendron pontica.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rhododendron pontica.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Rhododendron pontica.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rhododendron pontica.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rhododendron pontica.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0900629649 (1974-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.63.73.8 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    8. ? Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    9. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Rhododendron_ponticum&oldid=80114"
    Facts about "Rhododendron ponticum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyEricaceae +
    Belongs to genusRhododendron +
    Functions asHedge +
    Has binomial nameRhododendron ponticum +
    Has common nameRhododendron +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone7 +
    Has imageRhododendron pontica.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useCardiac +
    Has primary imageRhododendron pontica.JPG +
    Has search namerhododendron ponticum + and rhododendron +
    Has shade tolerancePartial shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid + and Acid +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameRhododendron ponticum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Rhododendron ponticum +