Key facts about Rhododendrons:
- What is it? They are a diverse genus of about 1,000 species of woody flowering plantsin the heath family (Ericaceae), notable for their attractive flowers and handsome foliage.
- Distribution: They are native to the temperate regions of Asia, North America, and Europe, as well as to the tropical regions of southeast Asia and northern Australia.
- Habitat: They occur in a variety of habitats, including alpine regions, coniferous and broadleaved woodlands, temperate rain forests, and even tropical jungle
- They also require a slightly acid soil to grow well.
- They exhibit an enormous diversity of size and shape, from prostrate ground covers growing no more than a few inches high to trees more than 100 feet tall.
- There are 132 taxa (80 species, 25 subspecies and 27 varieties) of rhododendrons found in India.
- Rhododendron, also known as "Lali Guras" in local language, is the national flower of Nepal and the state tree of the state of Uttarakhand in India.
