Wikimedia Commons
Ericaceae
Alpine Rose
Rhododendron ferrugineum
Mountain beauty and danger.
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Genus
- Rhododendron
- Native to
- European Alps, Pyrenees
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- shrub
- Height
- 2-4 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- acidic, humus-rich, well-drained
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 4-7
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The species name ferrugineum means 'rusty,' referring to the rust-colored scales on the undersides of its leaves.
- It is the national flower of Austria and appears prominently in Alpine folklore and traditions.
- One specimen in Switzerland was carbon-dated to be over 9,000 years old, making it among the oldest living plants.
- All parts of the plant are toxic due to grayanotoxins, which were historically used to poison enemies' honey supplies.
- It creates its own acidic microhabitat by dropping leaf litter, allowing it to grow on limestone mountains.
Color meanings
0
beware
1
caution
2
danger