Rhododendron mucronulatum

Rhododendron mucronulatum, the Korean rhododendron[1] or Korean rosebay (Chinese: 银叶杜鹃; pinyin: yínyè dùjuān),[2] is a rhododendron species native to Korea, Mongolia, Russia, and parts of northern China. It is a deciduous shrub that grows to 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) in height, with elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate leaves, 3–7 cm (1 1⁄4–2 3⁄4 in) long by 1–3.5 cm (3⁄8–1 3⁄8 in) wide. The reddish-purple flowers appear in late winter or early spring, often on the bare branches before the foliage unfurls. It inhabits forested regions at 1,600–2,300 m (5,200–7,500 ft).

Rhododendron mucronulatum
In a park in Goyang, in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Rhododendron
Species:
R. mucronulatum
Binomial name
Rhododendron mucronulatum

The Latin specific epithet mucronulatum means "sharply pointed", referring to the leaf shape.[3]

Synonyms
  • Rhododendron dauricum var. mucronulatum (Turcz.) Maxim.
  • Rhododendron dauricum subsp. mucronulatum (Turcz.) Vorosch.

Cultivation

The cultivar 'Cornell Pink' has light pink flowers, and has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4][5] It is hardy down to −20 °C (−4 °F) but like most rhododendron species requires a sheltered position in dappled shade with acid soil that has been enriched with leaf mould.

Culinary use

In Korea, the flowers are used in pan-fried flower cakes called hwajeon, which are traditional for Samjinnal, a spring festival. It is also used in infused liquor.

  • Jindallae-hwajeon (pan-fried rhododendron flower cake)
  • Deuljjuk-sul (bog bilberry liquor) and jindallae-sul (Korean rhododendron liquor) produced in North Korea
  • Helsinki University Botanical Garden
  • Azalea Valley, Mt. Biseul, Korea

References
  1. English Names for Korean Native Plants (PDF). Pocheon: Korea National Arboretum. 2015. p. 605. ISBN 978-89-97450-98-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via Korea Forest Service.
  2. Fang, Ruizheng; Chamberlain, David F. "Rhododendron mucronulatum". Flora of China. 14. Retrieved 7 October 2018 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  3. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1845337315.
  4. "RHS Plantfinder - Rhododendron mucronulatum 'Cornell Pink'". Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  5. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 85. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  • "Rhododendron mucronulatum", Turczaninow, Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou. 10(7): 155. 1837.
  • The Plant List
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