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Bhutan Nature Plants |
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| Experiencing
rhododendron in the wild |
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| Trekking
in the wild and climbing steep mountains to see the various species of
rhododendron in full bloom was a different and a delightful experience,
according to the members of the Bhutan Society in the United Kingdom, who
are currently in the country on a two-week goodwill visit to Bhutan |
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Matt
Heasman, the team leader of the group of 15 amateur horticulturists with
keen interest in gardening and plants, and particularly in rhododendrons,
said that the trip was not an official research trip but to see and experience
the wild rhododendrons in Bhutan which they had heard so much about. "We
heard a lot from our friends about the different species of rhododendrons
that are wildly seen in Bhutan," he said. "As ardent lovers of plants,
we thought it would be thrilling to experience it ourselves."
Travelling
through the Tang valley in Bumthang and up the Rotongla pass, Matt
Heasman, said that the group was not disappointed by what they saw. "Out
of 47 different species we were able to see 29 of them with almost
all of them in full bloom," he said.
He
said that the group was a little worried in the beginning that a lot would
be finished since the blooming season was over. "But we were lucky to catch
some of the late bloomers which were just beginning to come out," he said.
Matt
Heasman, who has been studying the plant for over 20 years, said that seeing
the plant in the wild was a rare and fascinating experience.
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| "There
are excellent gardens in the West Coast of Scotland which are very good
in growing rhododendron, but seeing it in the wild is a thrill in itself,"
he said, adding that "the plants in the wild are a little more tardy because
they have to live on their own under harsh environment whereas in a garden
they are well looked after".
With over
900 different species of rhododendron worldwide, with equally difficult
names, Matt Heasman, said that it was difficult to recognise the species
instantly. "If you know the species it is relatively easier to find them
but not otherwise," he said. |
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With
flowers that grow in large clusters, the rhododendron species are found
in Southeast Asia, from the Himalayas through Tibet, China, Nepal, Bhutan,
Vietnam and to Malaysia and Indonesia. The wild rhododendrons are
found from sea level to 19,000 feet in elevation, and grow in many different
habitats, including alpine regions, coniferous, and broadleaved woodlands,
and even rainforests.
Although
the plant is known for being poisonous, Matt Heasman, said that some of
the species are used for various purposes. For instance, in China, the
flowers of the rhododendron decorum were taken as salad while the
setosum and the anthopogon species of rhododendron were widely used
in Bhutan to make incense sticks. "But the others like the cinnabarinum
species give off a lot of nectar but if you eat the honey from them,
it is poisonous," he said.
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The royal botanical garden at Serbithang
Meanwhile
the group, who visited the botanical garden in Serbithang, said
that besides rhododendron, the rich flora and fauna of Bhutan was impressive.
"We have collected a lot of pictures of plant species which we know nothing
about," said Matt Heasman. "We will go back home and try to learn more
about them." |
| Contributed
by By Karma Choden, Kuensel, Bhutan's National Newspaper |
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