Rhododendron arboreum

Rhododendron arboreum (Tree Rhododendron), also known as burans or gurans, is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a showy display of bright red flowers. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka andThailand. Rhododendron arboreum is the national flower of Nepal and the state tree of Uttarakhand in India.

HEIGHT AND DISCRIPTION

Its name means "tending to be woody or growing in a tree-like form. It has been recorded as reaching heights of up to 20 m, although more usually it has a height and spread up to 12 m (36 ft) x 12 m (36 ft).This plant holds the Guinness Record for World's Largest Rhododendron.

In early- and mid-spring, trusses of 15-20 bell-shaped flowers, 5 cm (2 in) wide and 3–5 cm (1.25–2 in) long are produced in red, pink or white. They have black nectar pouches and black spots inside.

IT'S SPECIAL AND FAMOUS VARIANTS

• Rhododendron arboreum subsp. cinnamomeum has leaves with cinnamon-brown hairs beneath.
• Rhododendron arboreum subsp. zeylanicum rare ssp from the highlands of Sri Lanka, named after Zeilan, the name used by Arabian traders to refer to Sri Lanka.
• Rhododendron arboreum subsp. cinnamomeum var. album has white flowers with small blood red spots on the inner surface of the petals.
• Rhododendron arboreum subsp. delavayi has red flowers.
• Rhododendron arboreum Sm. subsp. nilagiricum (Zenker) Tagg is found in Tamil Nadu, India.

                                                        Rhododendron arboreumin shola at Mukurthi National Park

                                                                                         Pink Rhododendron

                                                   Rhododendron arboreumat Biddulph Grange Gardens, 18 April 2009

This Rhododendron Arboreum(Burans) tree is state tree of Uttarakhand, India. During months of Febuary & March Burans tree gets completely covered by these beautiful red flowers. It is highly beneficial for heart and liver.