1976, Flowers Rhododendron Campanulatum |
Flowers Rhododendron Campanulatum 2 Bhutanese chhertum 1976 MNH
Text: Rhododendron Campanulatum Bhutan 2 ch
Condition: MNH
Title: Rhododendron
Campanulatium
Face value: 2
Country/area: Bhutan
Year: 15-02-1976
Set: 1976
Stamp number in set: 02
Basic colour: Green
Exact colour: Pink
Size:
30 x 42 mm
Perforation: Combo 15
Usage:
Franking
Type: Stamp
Theme: Flowers
Michel number: 639
Yvert number: 476
Stanley Gibbons number: 329
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Rhododendron campanulata ssp. aeruginosum
is a wild species rhododendron found in the Himalayan alpine regions of
Northern India, Bhutan, and Nepal. It grows on the stony alpine slopes and
ledges at altitudes of 12,000 to 14,500 feet. Rhododendrons are part of the
heath family, like blueberries, cranberries, and heathers.
The evergreen, leathery leaves of this
plant can be as small as 1/4 of an inch, to over three feet in length. Their
shapes can be very rounded or long and thin. The leaves grow alternately on the
stem. The upper surface is dark green and glossy, while the undersides are
fuzzy. The undersides are called indumentum, and can have many colors. Some are
cinnamon colored while others are silver to white. R. campanulata ssp.
aeruginosum is a low growing form of rhododendron, usually rounded in shape,
and up to 4 feet tall. The leaves, which are 3 to 4 inches long, have a
beautiful blueish metallic shine to them. Their indumentum starts out whitish
when the leaves are young and turn a fawn color as they mature.
Rhododendron flowers grow in large
trusses, or clusters, which can be up to 10 inches across. Each flower is
shaped like a small bell about 1 - 1.5 inch long. They bloom from spring to
early summer, and may be pink, white, red, purple, yellow, orange, or various
shades of each. The flowers of Rhododendron campanulatum ssp. aeruginosum are a
pink to purple color with some dark blotches.
There are over 900 different species of
rhododendrons all over the world. Most of the species are found in Southeast
Asia, from the Himalayas through Tibet, China, Thailand and Vietnam, to
Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and New Guinea.
Species rhododendrons live naturally in
the wild, which means that man hasn't interfered with the way they grow or
look. The wild rhododendrons are found from sea level to 19,000 feet in
elevation, and grow in many different habitats, including alpine regions,
coniferous, and broadleaved woodlands, and even rainforests. They can grow from
a few inches high to as high as 100 feet. The first of many rhododendrons which
came from Asia was discovered by Captain Hardwicke in 1799. R. campanulatum was
brought to England in 1825.
All parts of this plant contain a poison
called grayanotoxin, but the leaves are the most poisonous part. Eating this
plant can give you a severe stomach ache. It can also cause liver damage and
pneumonia. If you have grazing animals, it is important to keep them away from
your rhododendrons.
In the Himalayas rhododendrons are often
found at the same elevation as the summer grazing pastures. Wood from the
rhododendron is used for firewood and building materials by shepherds. Large
stands are often clear cut, which leads to major soil erosion. Many areas where
rhododendron forests used to grow no longer exist.
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