Rhododendron arboreum: The state Flower of many Bear Beautiful Edible Flowers
Rhododendron arboreum
It is one of the most stately and impressive rhododendron species. It is distinctly variable in hardness & flower color . Firstly, reported from north central India. It grows up to 10 to 20 ft high (Doda region). Flowering occurs from March- April/ June-September bearing deep red . The aesthetically appealing flowers owe its religious significance; it is considered sacred & offered in temples for ornamenting purposes. This plant holds the Guinness Record for World Largest Rhododendron & is widely popular for its medicinal benefits & economic value. A postal stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department to commemorate this flower.
Distribution:
Jammu & Kashmir, Bhutan, Assam, Sikkim, Manipur & Uttarkhand.
Commercial Uses:
In hilly areas, the flowers of Rhododendron arboreum with sweet & sour taste are used in the preparation of squash, jams, jellies and local brew. It is a very common and pleasant drink, drunk once daily as refreshing appetizer & also to prevent high altitude sickness. Fresh petals are used to prepare chutney known as barah ki chutney. The juice of the leaves is spread over cots and beds to get rid of bed lice. Wood of the plant is used to make charcoal & fuel. The grained wood of R. arboreum is used for making ‘khukri’ handles, packsaddles, gift-boxes, gunstocks and posts. Flowers & leaves are fitted in long ropes made of munja grass & tied around the houses including temples as decorations (Chauhan, 1999; Paul et al., 2005).
Pharmacological Properties:
Flowers of this plant bears properties like Anti-inflammatory and Anti-nociceptive activity, Hepatoprotective activity, Anti-diarrhoeal activity, Anti-diabetic activity & Antioxidant or Adaptogenic activity
Literature cited:
Chauhan N.S.(1999). Medicinal & aromatic plants of Himachal Pradesh. Indus Publishing Company, New Delhi 353.
Srivastava, P. (2012). Rhododendron arboreum: An Overview. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science 02 (01): 158-162
Paul A., Khan M.L., Arunachalam A. & Arunachalam K. Biodiversity and conservation of Rhododendrons in Arunachal Pradesh in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Curr Sci. 2005; 89(4): 623-634.
4 Comments
beautiful flowers
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