Species Name: Rhododendron  arboreum

Lepcha Name: Kemo Reep

Nepali Name: Lali Gurans

Introduction: Tree, distributed widely across Himalayas

Summary: Rhodo, dendron, Greek for Rose Tree, perhaps the most flamboyant of Sikkim’s flowers, blooms in festive bunches right during peak tourist season, tempting even locals to go off on picnics.  The 36 species in Sikkim from the State Tree to the tiny shrubby Sunpati at higher altitude have many subspecies, varieties and forms.  See evolution at work with species naturally hybridizing; and adding to their aesthetic value are other uses in medicine and even beverages.  And who would believe our Rhodos are invasive in some parts of the world where they were once introduced as garden plants!?  Besides now with changing climate its any day now when Songru Pandi (Utis) finally catches up with Kemo Reep (Lali Gurans) for good.

Status: Vulnerable

Species Name: Rhododendron dalhousiae

Nepali Name: Lahare Chimal

Introduction: Epiphytic shrub, parasitical on the trunks of large trees of Michelia and Quercus; Nepal, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh.

Summary: Rhodo dendron, Greek for Rose Tree, perhaps the most flamboyant of Sikkim’s flowers, blooms in festive bunches right during peak tourist season, tempting even locals to go off on picnics.  The 36 species in Sikkim from the State Tree to the tiny shrubby Sunpati at higher altitude have many subspecies, varieties and forms.  See evolution at work with species naturally hybridizing; and adding to their aesthetic value are other uses in medicine and even beverages.  And who would believe our Rhodos are invasive in some parts of the world where they were once introduced as garden plants!?  Besides now with changing climate it’s any day now when Songru Pandi (Utis) finally catches up with Kemo Reep (Lali Gurans) for good. Rhodo dendron, Greek for Rose Tree, perhaps the most flamboyant of Sikkim’s flowers, blooms in festive bunches right during peak tourist season, tempting even locals to go off on picnics.  The 36 species in Sikkim from the State Tree to the tiny shrubby Sunpati at higher altitude have many subspecies, varieties and forms.  See evolution at work with species naturally hybridizing; and adding to their aesthetic value are other uses in medicine and even beverages.  And who would believe our Rhodos are invasive in some parts of the world where they were once introduced as garden plants!?  Besides now with changing climate its any day now when Songru Pandi (Utis) finally catches up with Kemo Reep (Lali Gurans) for good.

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Species Name: Rhododendron  grifitthianum

Nepali Name: Seto Chimal

Introduction: Small tree, oak forest or in bamboo thickets in association with R. grande, Magnolia globosa

Summary: Rhodo,  dendron, Greek for Rose Tree, perhaps the most flamboyant of Sikkim’s flowers, blooms in festive bunches right during peak tourist season, tempting even locals to go off on picnics.  The 36 species in Sikkim from the State Tree to the tiny shrubby ‘Sunpati’ at higher altitude have many subspecies, varieties and forms.  See evolution at work with species naturally hybridizing; and adding to their aesthetic value are other uses in medicine and even beverages.  And who would believe our Rhodos are invasive in some parts of the world where they were once introduced as garden plants!?  Besides now with changing climate it’s any day now when Songru Pandi (Utis) finally catches up with Kemo Reep (Lali Gurans) for good.

Status:

Species Name: Rhododendron  falconeri

Nepali Name: Korlinga

Introduction: Tree,distributed from Nepal, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh

Summary: Rhodo dendron, Greek for Rose Tree, perhaps the most flamboyant of Sikkim’s flowers, blooms in festive bunches right during peak tourist season, tempting even locals to go off on picnics.  The 36 species in Sikkim from the State Tree to the tiny shrubby Sunpati at higher altitude have many subspecies, varieties and forms.  See evolution at work with species naturally hybridizing and adding to their aesthetic value are other uses in medicine and even beverages.  And who would believe our Rhodos are invasive in some parts of the world where they were once introduced as garden plants!?  Besides now with changing climate it’s any day now when Songru Pandi (Utis) finally catches up with Kemo Reep (Lali Gurans) for good.

Status: Threatened

Species Name: Rhododendron  hodgsonii

Nepali Name: Gulabi Korlinga

Introduction: Branched Tree, distributed from Nepal through Sikkim, Darjeeling and Bhutan

Summary: Rhodo dendron, Greek for Rose Tree, perhaps the most flamboyant of Sikkim’s flowers, blooms in festive bunches right during peak tourist season, tempting even locals to go off on picnics.  The 36 species in Sikkim from the State Tree to the tiny shrubby Sunpati at higher altitude have many subspecies, varieties and forms.  See evolution at work with species naturally hybridizing and adding to their aesthetic value are other uses in medicine and even beverages.  And who would believe our Rhodos are invasive in some parts of the world where they were once introduced as garden plants!?  Besides now with changing climate its any day now when Songru Pandi (Utis) finally catches up with Kemo Reep (Lali Gurans) for good.

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Species Name: Rhododendron  pumilum

Nepali Name: Purke Gurans

Introduction: Faintly fragrant shrub, dwarf, grows in the alpine region

Summary: Rhodo dendron, Greek for Rose Tree, perhaps the most flamboyant of Sikkim’s flowers, blooms in festive bunches right during peak tourist season, tempting even locals to go off on picnics.  The 36 species in Sikkim from the State Tree to the tiny shrubby Sunpati at higher altitude have many subspecies, varieties and forms.  See evolution at work with species naturally hybridizing, and adding to their aesthetic value are other uses in medicine and even beverages.  And who would believe our Rhodos are invasive in some parts of the world where they were once introduced as garden plants!?  Besides now with changing climate its any day now when Songru Pandi (Utis) finally catches up with Kemo Reep (Lali Gurans) for good.

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