Rhododendron, the forest of the highest mountains

1994/07/01 Terés, Joxepo Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Botanika

The genus Rhododendron is diversified approximately in 1,200 species, many of which are cultivated in the activity (for example, the superficial ones). As for the Basque Country, only the species Rhododendron ferrugineum appears.

This study object rhododendron is a small shrub (up to 1.2 m), shaped like an upright, naughty and woody branch. Persistent leaves, elliptic-elongated, sharp and mucronate. At the top, bright greens and at the bottom, green-yellowish at first, with a typical rust color. The lower part of the leaf is also covered by scales, being its rocky edge.

The flowers are very showy. In summer, every year, the Pyrenees of the Basque Country dress in reddish pink, offering the landscape a charming brush stroke. These appear in the matsalcos of the ends of the horns, forming the typical gymdanza form. They are usually campaniform or funnel and depending on their altitude blooms between June and August. The fruit is usually a long capsule that opens in 5 leaflets.

The rhododendró lives in the highest mountains: In Jura, Alps, Pyrenees, etc., and the siliceous soil has its eyes. The rock appears in undergrowth (especially in wild pine undergrowth) and volcanic scrub. In Euskal Herria it is only in the highest areas of the Pyrenees, with its limit at the southwest end of its distribution area in Larrea.

This plant is toxic and has been used as a medicinal plant. Its substances include tannins, glycosides arbutine and andromedotoxin. Its ability to cure rheumatism and gout is diuretic. It also serves to clean the blood.

But be careful! It is toxic.

Technical information Rhododendrons Family: Ericáceos Rhododendron ferrugin<unk> Distribution: BakanoHabitat: Walls, understory and subalpetaiMedicinal herb: Yes