Rhododendron Lower Classifications. You may be interested in joining the american rhododendron society which runs a database with information on more than 2 000 rhododendrons and azaleas on an annual basis the society selects a number of rhododendrons to be awarded the rhododendron of the. Rhododendron was discovered by the 16th century flemish botanist charles l ecluse.
Its leaves are simple with colorful dense hair on the lower side. Although rhododendrons had been known since the description of rhododendron hirsutum by charles de l écluse clusius in the sixteenth century and were known. Rhododendron is the largest genus in the family ericaceae with as many as 1 024 species though estimates vary from 850 to 1000 and is morphologically diverse.
The ericaceae family includes the heaths heathers cranberries blueberries mountain laurels japanese andromeda pieris and other ornamental plants.
The artificial classification was intended as a temporary measure but it became firmly entrenched following the publication of the species of rhododendron in 1930 by the royal horticultural society. Its leaves are simple with colorful dense hair on the lower side. A genus as large and varied as rhododendron becomes comprehensible only if its species are systematically arranged according to their affinity. You may be interested in joining the american rhododendron society which runs a database with information on more than 2 000 rhododendrons and azaleas on an annual basis the society selects a number of rhododendrons to be awarded the rhododendron of the.