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April 1, 2007 : Rhododendron traillianum
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Keywords: Ericaceae | Rhododendron traillianum Forrest & W. W. Smith | 024656-0026-1985
The underside of the leaves of Rhododendron traillianum are apparently sweet-smelling, but I didn't think to try it so I can't describe the scent. Perhaps Douglas will describe the scent in a comment.
This species is native to southwest China and Tibet. The Flora of China provides a detailed description, while the American Rhododendron Society provides a quick factsheet. More images of Rhododendron traillianum can be found in the photo galleries of Asperupgaard, a Danish garden.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at April 1, 2007 7:20 AM
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Comments
Posted by: Ron B at April 1, 2007 11:52 AM
I once wrote an article on appreciating rhododendrons for foliage, wherein I celebrated that wonderful, but under-rated, subsection of rhododendrons, the Taliensia (I love the sound of that name). I described R. traillianum as smelling of camphor and peach soap.
What the hell was I smoking? I wasn't and no, in retropspect, I think I was actually pretty accurate. Just so you know I'm not kidding around (this being April 1st and all), I also ascribed camphor, honey and mint to the aroma of R. balfourianum and camphor, cloves and soap to R. wasonii.
The article was presumably read by a few people (it was even reprinted in another publication), but I got nary a peep out of anyone. Either they believed me or didn't feel like disagreeing in public. Maybe they just gave up reading after the first paragraph. Another possibility is that people think I'm nuts, that these smells are all in my head. I have run into a few true onosmics (people with no sense of smell), but surely, most people can differentiate Abies grandis from A. amabilis (respectively: lemon + pine Mr. Clean vs. tangerines). No? To be honest, I've met non onosmics who couldn't smell their way out of a detergent aisle in a supermarket.
Maybe people are just too shy to describe smells. I don't know. Okay. This is a plea to those people--and I know you're out there--who go around sniffing at plants like I do (let me assure you, I limit this behaviour to plants). Anybody ever smelled the unfolding leaves of Nothofagus antarctica?
Posted by: Douglas Justice at April 1, 2007 6:45 PM
Yes, Antarctic beech has a resinous cinnamony smell in spring. I point it out whenever circumstances permit.
Posted by: Ron B at April 1, 2007 8:25 PM
Hey Daniel, lovely rhodie but the Danish links are forbidden!
Posted by: Sue Webster at April 1, 2007 11:11 PM
Hi Sue,
Why are the Danish links forbidden???
Bjarne
Posted by: Bjarne D at April 2, 2007 1:04 AM
Is it possible that a bandwidth limitation was briefly met? Only other things I can think of would be a local firewall configuration problem or an IP banning configuration on the Danish web server.
Posted by: Daniel Mosquin 
at April 2, 2007 1:14 AM
Hi Daniel,
www.asperupggard.dk is my website.
I think there was a problem with my internet connection earlier this morning (late evening in BC!). Everything should be ok now.
According to 'awstats',there was an interval of 80 minutes with no visitors.
So far 40 visitors via UBC since yesterday.
I hope that Sue will make a second try!
Bjarne
Posted by: Bjarne D at April 2, 2007 2:04 AM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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When I have seen this in person have enjoyed contrasting combination of pale flowers with dark indumentum.