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Useful Temperate Plants

Rhododendron anthopogon

D.Don

Ericaceae


Rhododendron hypenanthum I.B.Balfour, treated here as a subspecies of Rhododendron anthopogon (as Rhododendron anthopogon subsp hypenanthum (I.B.Balfour) Cullen) is treated as a distincr species in the flora of China[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

+ Synonyms

Rhododendron anthopogon hypenanthum (I.B.Balfour) Cullen

Rhododendron haemonium Balf.f. & R.E.Cooper

Rhododendron hypenanthum I.B.Balfour

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Rhododendron anthopogon is an evergreen shrub of compact habit; it usually grows up to 60cm tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild in large quantities, mainly for medicinal use, but also use as a food and source of materials. The leaves and twigs are sold in local markets for use as an incense, whilst the leaves and the flowers are sold for medicinal use[
1667
Title
Rhododendron Species and Their Uses with Special Reference to Himalayas - A Review
Publication
Assam University Journal of Science & Technology: Biological and Environmental Sciences, Vol 7 Number 1 pp 161-167, 2011
Author
Bhattacharyya D.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
0975-2773
Description
A useful breif guide to the uses of Rhododendron species in the Himalayas
,
2020
Title
Trade in Indian Medicinal Plants
Publication
Ethnobotany of India Vol 5., 321-345, 2018
Author
D.K.Ved, S.Noorunnisa Begum, & K.Ravi Kumar
Publisher
Apple Academic Press; Oakville, Canada
Year
2018
ISBN
978-1-77188-600-0
Description
 
]. The plant is grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, all parts of Rhododendron species (including the leaves, flowers and pollen) contain greater or lesser amounts of the toxic compound andromedotoxin (also known as grayanotoxin). Rarely lethal to humans (and used medicinally in some herbal disciplines), this compound causes dose-dependant overstimulation of the central nervous system with symptoms including various cardiovascular effects (mainly low blood pressure and cardiac rhythm disorders); nausea and vomiting; and a change in consciousness. The effects commence shortly after ingestion and last around two days. These effects are also transferred to honey made from the nectar of the flowers. In some parts of the world bees are used to deliberately produce a honey rich in andromedotoxin which is then eaten for its supposed medicinal, hallucinogenic and aphrodisiac effects.
In contrast to humans, many other creatures are more susceptible to the toxin and it has sometimes proved lethal to grazing animals and household pets. Some forms of honeybees are also killed by the toxin (resistant forms of the bee are used for honey production). Bumblebees are not affected, however, and are also more efficient in pollinating rhododendron flowers, so one theory is that the toxin is produced by the plant in order to favour the bumblebee and improve fertilization rates[
1668
Title
Grayanotoxin Poisoning: ‘Mad Honey Disease’ and Beyond
Publication
Cardiovasc Toxicol (2012) 12:208-215
Author
Jansen S.A. et al
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-012-9162-2
Publisher
 
Year
2012
ISBN
 
Description
An in-depth review of the literature on the toxic effects of a toxin widely found in the family Ericaceae
].

Botanical References

11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.

Range

E. Asia - W. China to the Himalayas.

Habitat

Moist open slopes, hillsides, ledges of cliffs and in thickets, often covering large areas; at elevations from 3,000 - 4,500, occasionally to 5,000 metres[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitEvergreen Shrub
Height0.60 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusOrnamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Rhododendron anthopogon is a plant of high elevations in the Himalayas, generally growing well in the temperate zone in areas where winter temperatures do not usually fall below around -15°c[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
]. Although cold-tolerant when dormant, the flowers and young growth of Rhododendrons are very susceptible to damage by late frosts in regions where these are likely to occur after new growth has commenced in the spring[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Succeeds in a most humus-rich lime-free soils except those of a dry arid nature or those that are heavy or clayey[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
]. Prefers a peaty or well-drained sandy loam[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
]. Succeeds in sun or shade, the warmer the climate the more shade a plant requires[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. A pH between 4.5 and 5.5 is ideal[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
].
Rhododendron species are mainly woodland species that grow well in the dappled shade and shelter given by the other woodland plants. They are surface-rooting species with a fibrous root system, however, and do not grow well close to trees that are also surface-rooting, nor do they do well with ground cover or other small plants growing over or into their roots[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
352
Title
KemperCentreForHomeGardeningPlantFinder
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic cultivation details, plant uses, habitat etc for several thousand species of plants, mainly from the temperate zone.
].
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[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
The whole plant is strongly aromatic with a slightly acrid odour, especially when crushed[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Edible Uses

The flowers are used as a tea substitute[
272
Title
Plants and People of Nepal
Publication
 
Author
Manandhar. N. P.
Publisher
Timber Press. Oregon.
Year
2002
ISBN
0-88192-527-6
Description
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
]. Some caution is advised - see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal

Rhododendron anthopogon is a commonly used medicinal plant in India, where it is gathered from the wild in large quantities[
2020
Title
Trade in Indian Medicinal Plants
Publication
Ethnobotany of India Vol 5., 321-345, 2018
Author
D.K.Ved, S.Noorunnisa Begum, & K.Ravi Kumar
Publisher
Apple Academic Press; Oakville, Canada
Year
2018
ISBN
978-1-77188-600-0
Description
 
]. Some caution is advised in the medicinal usage of this plant - see the notes above on toxicity.

The stems and leaves of the sub-species Rhododendron anthopogon hypenanthum are used in Tibetan herbalism[
241
Title
Tibetan Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Tsarong. Tsewang. J.
Publisher
Tibetan Medical Publications, India
Year
1994
ISBN
81-900489-0-2
Description
A nice little pocket guide to the subject with photographs of 95 species and brief comments on their uses.
,
1667
Title
Rhododendron Species and Their Uses with Special Reference to Himalayas - A Review
Publication
Assam University Journal of Science & Technology: Biological and Environmental Sciences, Vol 7 Number 1 pp 161-167, 2011
Author
Bhattacharyya D.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
0975-2773
Description
A useful breif guide to the uses of Rhododendron species in the Himalayas
]. They have a sweet, bitter and astringent taste and they promote heat[
241
Title
Tibetan Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Tsarong. Tsewang. J.
Publisher
Tibetan Medical Publications, India
Year
1994
ISBN
81-900489-0-2
Description
A nice little pocket guide to the subject with photographs of 95 species and brief comments on their uses.
]. They are antitussive, diaphoretic and digestive and are used to treat lack of appetite, coughing and various skin disorders[
241
Title
Tibetan Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Tsarong. Tsewang. J.
Publisher
Tibetan Medical Publications, India
Year
1994
ISBN
81-900489-0-2
Description
A nice little pocket guide to the subject with photographs of 95 species and brief comments on their uses.
]. The powdered, dried leaves and young shoots are eaten with butter in the treatment of leucorrhoea and gonorrhoea[
1667
Title
Rhododendron Species and Their Uses with Special Reference to Himalayas - A Review
Publication
Assam University Journal of Science & Technology: Biological and Environmental Sciences, Vol 7 Number 1 pp 161-167, 2011
Author
Bhattacharyya D.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
0975-2773
Description
A useful breif guide to the uses of Rhododendron species in the Himalayas
].

The flowers of the sub-species Rhododendron anthopogon hypenanthum are also used in Tibetan medicine, having a sweet taste and neutral potency[
241
Title
Tibetan Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Tsarong. Tsewang. J.
Publisher
Tibetan Medical Publications, India
Year
1994
ISBN
81-900489-0-2
Description
A nice little pocket guide to the subject with photographs of 95 species and brief comments on their uses.
]. They are antitussive, febrifuge and tonic, being used in the treatment of inflammations, lung disorders and general weakening of the body[
241
Title
Tibetan Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Tsarong. Tsewang. J.
Publisher
Tibetan Medical Publications, India
Year
1994
ISBN
81-900489-0-2
Description
A nice little pocket guide to the subject with photographs of 95 species and brief comments on their uses.
]. They are also used when water and locality are not agreeable due to a change of environment[
241
Title
Tibetan Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Tsarong. Tsewang. J.
Publisher
Tibetan Medical Publications, India
Year
1994
ISBN
81-900489-0-2
Description
A nice little pocket guide to the subject with photographs of 95 species and brief comments on their uses.
].

The leaves are stimulant[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
]. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of colds, coughs, chronic bronchitis, asthma and excessive mucus formation in the nose or throat[
1667
Title
Rhododendron Species and Their Uses with Special Reference to Himalayas - A Review
Publication
Assam University Journal of Science & Technology: Biological and Environmental Sciences, Vol 7 Number 1 pp 161-167, 2011
Author
Bhattacharyya D.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
0975-2773
Description
A useful breif guide to the uses of Rhododendron species in the Himalayas
]. In Nepal, the leaves are boiled and the vapour inhaled to treat coughs and colds[
272
Title
Plants and People of Nepal
Publication
 
Author
Manandhar. N. P.
Publisher
Timber Press. Oregon.
Year
2002
ISBN
0-88192-527-6
Description
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
].
The aromatic leaves are used as a snuff to produce sneezing[
1667
Title
Rhododendron Species and Their Uses with Special Reference to Himalayas - A Review
Publication
Assam University Journal of Science & Technology: Biological and Environmental Sciences, Vol 7 Number 1 pp 161-167, 2011
Author
Bhattacharyya D.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
0975-2773
Description
A useful breif guide to the uses of Rhododendron species in the Himalayas
].

The leaves and flowers are used in treating indigestion and lung infection in Pso-ring-pa (an indigenous system of medicine among Tibetans)[
1667
Title
Rhododendron Species and Their Uses with Special Reference to Himalayas - A Review
Publication
Assam University Journal of Science & Technology: Biological and Environmental Sciences, Vol 7 Number 1 pp 161-167, 2011
Author
Bhattacharyya D.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
0975-2773
Description
A useful breif guide to the uses of Rhododendron species in the Himalayas
].
The dried and powdered flowers, mixed with oil, are used as massage oil for the body in the treatment of post-delivery complications[
1667
Title
Rhododendron Species and Their Uses with Special Reference to Himalayas - A Review
Publication
Assam University Journal of Science & Technology: Biological and Environmental Sciences, Vol 7 Number 1 pp 161-167, 2011
Author
Bhattacharyya D.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
0975-2773
Description
A useful breif guide to the uses of Rhododendron species in the Himalayas
].

Other Uses

The leaves contain around 0.2% essential oil[
272
Title
Plants and People of Nepal
Publication
 
Author
Manandhar. N. P.
Publisher
Timber Press. Oregon.
Year
2002
ISBN
0-88192-527-6
Description
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
]. The dried leaves are used as incense[
272
Title
Plants and People of Nepal
Publication
 
Author
Manandhar. N. P.
Publisher
Timber Press. Oregon.
Year
2002
ISBN
0-88192-527-6
Description
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
]. The leaves and twigs, often mixed with those of Juniperus species, are burnt as incense in temples and monasteries[
1667
Title
Rhododendron Species and Their Uses with Special Reference to Himalayas - A Review
Publication
Assam University Journal of Science & Technology: Biological and Environmental Sciences, Vol 7 Number 1 pp 161-167, 2011
Author
Bhattacharyya D.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
0975-2773
Description
A useful breif guide to the uses of Rhododendron species in the Himalayas
]

The dried, powdered leaves and flowers are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations as a humectant[
1243
Title
CosIng
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
CosIng is the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients.
].
An extract of the flowers and leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[
1243
Title
CosIng
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
CosIng is the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients.
].

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 mid spring. Surface-sow the seed and do not allow the compost to become dry[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. 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[
78
Title
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
Publication
 
Author
Sheat. W. G.
Publisher
MacMillan and Co
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame. Difficult[
78
Title
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
Publication
 
Author
Sheat. W. G.
Publisher
MacMillan and Co
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Rhododendron+anthopogon>

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