Rhododendron, a deciduous shrub of Rhododendron in Ericaceae, is 2-5 meters high and has many slender branches. Leaves are leathery, often clustered at the ends of branches, oval, oval or inverted oval, with short and sharp front ends, slightly curly leaves and thin teeth, dark green at the top and pale white at the bottom; Corolla is broadly funnel-shaped, obovate, generally 2-6 clusters at the top of branches, with rose color, bright red or dark red. The flowering period is April-May, and the fruit period is June-August.
Rhododendron is one of the three famous natural wildflowers in China, one of the four alpine flowers in the world, and also an important forest vegetation. Rhododendron has a wide range of medicinal value. According to the Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine and other related Chinese medicine documents, Rhododendron is sour and sweet, has the effect of promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation, and can treat diseases such as traumatic injury and rheumatic joint pain. Because the corolla is bright red, it can be used as a flowering plant with high ornamental value.
Rhododendron can also monitor toxic gases. When there are sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide in the air, the leaves of rhododendrons will appear mottled and the edges will begin to wither. Rhododendron symbolizes people's warm and beautiful feelings for life, and also symbolizes the prosperity of the country and the happy life of the people, so it is often written by the ancients. The poet Li Bai once wrote "Look at the azaleas in Xuancheng".