Rhododendrons carpet Darjeeling, Sikkim Himalayas

Source: The post is based on the article “Rhododendrons carpet Darjeeling, Sikkim Himalayas” published in The Hindu on 19th February 2023

What is the News?

According to the Botanical Survey of India, Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas are home to more than one-third of all types of rhododendrons found in India.

What are Rhododendrons?

Rhododendron means rose tree in Greek.

Distribution: Rhododendrons are native to many regions of the world, including Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia.

– In India, it is found mainly in Eastern Himalayas, Western Himalayas and Nilgiris. 

– Some plants of Rhododendron are evergreen and some are deciduous in nature. They range from dwarf shrubs to large trees.

Uses: Rhododendrons are popular ornamental plants and are often grown in gardens and parks

– They have been used in traditional medicine for their medicinal properties. In some regions, the bark, leaves, and flowers of these plants are used to treat a range of ailments, including fever, headache, and inflammation.

Significance: It is considered an indicator species for climate change. 

State Tree: It is the state tree of Uttarakhand and the state flower of Nagaland

–  Rhododendrons blooming in the Garhwal Himalayas is celebrated as ‘Phool Sankranti’, a festival of flowers.

Threats: They are facing a high threat due to anthropological pressures and climate change.