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April 4, 2008 : Rhododendron lutescens
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Keywords: Ericaceae | Rhododendron lutescens Franch. | Sich. 239 | 028287-0571-1989
Connor is responsible for both today's write-up and photograph. Thanks, Connor!
Upon entering the David C. Lam Asian Garden, one of the first sights to reach your eye is a collection of soft yellow flowers aloft dark green foliage. Closer inspection reveals the graceful swoop of each stamen contrasting nicely with the inward curl of the leaves. Rhododendron lutescens, a member of the Ericaceae, is native to the Sichuan province of western China. Taxonomically, it is part of the subgenera Rhododendron, section Rhododendron. The phylogeny of the genus is confusing to say the least, but it is explained well by the Fraser South Rhododendron Society.
Of interest to mycologists, a new genus and species has been described in Nematococcomyces rhododendri, a new species in a new genus of the Rhytismatales from China (PDF). This fungus was found living on the twigs of Rhododendron lutescens. Nematococcomyces rhododendri is a member of the Rhytismataceae of the Rhytismatales. Thought to be relatively harmless to their plant hosts, this order of the subphylum Pezizomycotina has not been extensively studied.
About five years ago, I was working at a local nursery in the Fraser Valley when Phytophthora ramorum was spreading up the west coast of North America. This fungus is responsible for Sudden Oak Death and ramorum blight, causing widespread damage throughout California and parts of Oregon and having an impact on the nursery sales of a long list of host plants including Rhododendron species. Many plants were both quarantined and destroyed that year with the hope of curbing the spread of Phytophthora ramorum. Interestingly, the native range of this fungus is not known because of its very recent discovery (Global Invasive Species Database cites this as 2000) and rapid spread throughout the world by way of nursery stock.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at April 4, 2008 12:00 AM
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Comments
Posted by: Barbara Lamb at April 4, 2008 7:37 AM
Wet snow here in Vermont as well!
Gorgeous photo of a gorgeous being. What eloquently embracing light from above against the shadowed background. Yummy! My eyes are feasting on it. (my appreciation has nothing to do with the snow still falling and the 2 feet of it still on the ground of course!)
Posted by: George L. in Vermont 
at April 4, 2008 8:31 AM
Rhododendron lutescens - Z7 - RHS Index of Garden Plants, Griffiths
Rhododendron lutescens - Z7-9 - A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, Brickell, Cole, Zuk
Rhododendron, ro-do-den-dron; from Gr. rodon, a rose, and dendron, a tree - Plant Names Simplified, Johnson and Smith
lutescens loo-tes-enz. Yellowish [the flowers] Dictionary of Plant Names, Coombes
Posted by: Beverley at April 4, 2008 9:01 AM
There are more than 40 species of Rhododendron (as well as numerous other plants) in flower in the Botanical Garden today. Of the approximately 400 rhododendron taxa (hybrids, species, subspecies, varieties, etc.) and thousands of individual specimens here, the majority are in bloom around the middle of April, but our first rhododendron to flower, R. rirei, is usually out in early January. Our latest is the tree-like R. auriculatum, which generally produces its large, fragrant white flowers in mid to late July. Arguably, the latest rhododendrons are some of the eastern North American azaleas. We are keenly anticipating their flowering in the developing Carolinian Forest garden
Posted by: Douglas Justice at April 4, 2008 9:09 AM
tis warm here in florida
not the april snow of my
i was born north memories
come spring time rides out to
country sides to see rhododendrons
in bloom was a yearly event
one of the homes i lived in ma
had rhodies above the roof line
my home state of new jersey
had grand displays in the mountains
spring time could be so grand
Posted by: elizabeth a airhart at April 4, 2008 1:11 PM
One Phytophthora expert has said (private discussion) that it is too late to curb SOD with quarantines etc. Awhile back a retail nursery down here was made to rent a back hoe, dig a 7' deep trench and bury infested stock in plastic bags at the bottom of it. If such efforts are actually futile authorities should stop directing that they be undertaken.
Since this water mold is actually thought to blow around on the wind it seems pretty unlikely that it will be possible to contain it.
Posted by: Ron B at April 4, 2008 1:26 PM
I am jealous of the many different rhodies which enjoy your NW climate; here in the southern Mid-Atlantic they sometimes just croak - slowly. I treasure the ones I have that are doing well.
Connor, you are doing a great job; thanks!
Posted by: bev at April 4, 2008 1:31 PM
Yep, my lutescens is in full flower right now even though it is housed in a pot and has been there since spring of 2007 when we had to renovate our garden bed. It will be planted (finally) in a new bed next week!! But what amazes me is the sheer stamina of plants, despite the abuses we sometimes inflict upon them. It gives me hope. LOOVVVE IT!!
Posted by: Loey at April 4, 2008 2:06 PM
I am eagerly anticipating a visit to the Rhododendron Species Foundation Botanical garden and the Washington Arboretum at the start of May. Both gardens have extensive Rhody collections.
This is a great teaser in advance of that visit!
Posted by: Eric in SF at April 4, 2008 3:09 PM
This fabulous flower from Sechuan ah so? Then that province is not only famous for the Good Woman of Sechuan by Brecht and the recent Tibetan signs of life of which I hadnt been aware of until just now but a beautiful Rhododendron as well!
Posted by: Alexander Jablanczy at April 4, 2008 3:37 PM
Szechuan has many other rhododendrons and other plants useful in gardens.
Posted by: Ron B at April 6, 2008 1:58 PM
This picture has me regretting not driving up to the plant sale at the Rhododendron Species Foundation Botanical Garden this weekend. Beautiful.
Posted by: Megan at April 6, 2008 10:46 PM
Hum, the stigma is also quite inward! An impressive configuration... Crossing fingers, err, stamens.
Posted by: Laurent at April 7, 2008 6:26 AM
How interesting to see such a different Rhododendron flower. It will be the end of May and the first of June when the Rhododendrons around here will be in bloom. I like all the information.
Thank you,
Margaret-Rae
Posted by: Margaret-Rae Davis at April 9, 2008 7:56 PM
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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Lovely. Are they flowerting now? Here in Toronto we are having wet snow...sigh...