Basic Information
Species : Rhododendron setosum D.Don.
Local Name : Jhuse sunpate (Nep)
Synonym :
Family : Ericaceae
Habitat :
Distribution : Distributed to alpine region.
Sikkim : Samdung, Chumbi, open mountain slopes and valley 2770-4800 m, Barsay, Singba, Nathang- Kupup, Tsokha- Dzongri,
Yumthang, Lhonak valley.
Outside : Nepal, Bhutan (Punakha, Thimpu, Tongsa and Bhumthang district, Mochu and upper Bumthang chu).
Morphological information
A small shrub, 30 cm
high, deep purple branchlets bristley. Leaves 12 by 6mm,
elliptic-obovate, obtuse, scaly on both surfaces and often
bristley beneath. Pedicels 6mm long 3-8, clustered,
glandular-scaly. Clayx-lobes; 4-6 by 3-4 mm elliptic, obtuse,
glandular-scaly. Corolla deep red, tube very short, 5mm long,
lobes 12 by 6mm, oblong spreading. Stamens 8, sometimes 10;
filaments hairy below. Ovary 5-celled glandlular-scaly. Capsule
6 by 5mm ovoid, hardly larger than the calyx
lobes. Seeds ellipsoid, subacute at the ends, testa
close, not produced.
Flowering : June-August
Fruiting : June-August
History
:
Parts : Leaves.
Status : Vulnerable
Medicinal
: Leaves are aromatic, their
smoke is considered useful in some diseases.
Reference
1. Anonymous (1992). The Useful Plants of India. Publications and Information Directorate, CSIR, New Delhi. 522.
2. Grierson, A.J.C. and D.G. Long (1991). Flora of Bhutan (Vol. 2, part 1). Royal Botanic Garden. Edinberg. 381.
3. Krtikar, K.R.; B.D. Basu (1993) Indian Medicinal Plants. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh Dehradun. 1462 1463.
4. Progress Report of the Project "Studies on Medicinal Plants of Sikkim" (1998 2001). State Council of Science and Technology for Sikkim.