Rhododendron ferrugineum

Alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum )

The Alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum ) is a plant of the genus rhododendron (Rhododendron ) and belongs to the family of the heather family ( Ericaceae ). The well-known alpine plant is also known as Auburn Alpenrose or rust Red Almrausch.

Features

The evergreen shrub with strong bushy growth habit reaches heights of 30 to 130 cm. The thick stems and branches are richly branched. Young shoots are scaly reddish brown. Branches and twigs are berindet gray.

The alternate arranged leaves appear at the ends of branches on frequently and are widely between one and two inches long, and up to an inch. Their shape is usually lanceolate to narrow - elliptic, acuminate to mucronate forward. The leathery leaves have a fixed and rolled-over more or less downward leaf margin, which is finely serrated. The leaves are glossy dark green and hairless. Young leaves are hand yellowish, then brown rust by dandruff hair in old age. Therefore, German natural kind terms such as " Alpenrose " or " Auburn Alpenrose " come. The leaves remain only about two years on the bush.

The hermaphroditic about five to eight millimeters long stalked flowers are a plurality in a crowded, terminal grape. The inside hairy crown is broad vase- shaped and deep pink to bright red. It grows up to 2 inches long and as wide. The ten stamens do not protrude beyond the crown and are hairy at the base.

The flowering season is from May to July.

The maturing from August brownish capsule fruits are woody and contain many extremely light seeds that are dispersed by the wind.

Occurrence

The Alpenrose is widespread in the Alps, Pyrenees, Jura, Apennines, Carpathians and the Balkans. Here she comes in the Alps in the silicate Central Alps are common in the limestone Alps it is scattered to find.

As the site fresh, mostly acidophilous pine forests, clear shrubs, dwarf shrubs and dwarf pine bushes are preferred. The species avoids calcareous subsoil, there would vicarious Rhododendron hirsutum occur. The Alpenrose thrives at altitudes 500-2800 m above sea level. NN. Together with the dwarf juniper (Juniperus communis var saxatilis ), it is an important Rohbodenpionier.

In winter, the Alpenrose needs a protective blanket of snow, otherwise they would freeze to death.

Outside the natural range this species is planted in garden culture. Like most rhododendrons they need acidic soil conditions.

Toxicity

Like many other Rhododendron species Almrausch owned by Andromedotoxin ( Acetylandromedol ) to the diterpenes, highly poisonous. Particularly at risk are ruminants, the lack of winter forage selection plants take to him.

The Alpenrose is also toxic to humans, with all plant parts ( flowers, nectar, leaves, fruits, ... ) contain the toxin Acetylandromedol. Symptoms include salivation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Furthermore, even severe heart rhythm disorders, respiratory disorders, and seizures may occur which may lead to the death by Herz-/Atemstillstand at a higher dose. Already a leaf or blossom can cause symptoms of poisoning.

First aid measures are an abundant fluid intake as well as the prospect of a physician for administration of medicinal charcoal (activated carbon ) or to perform a detoxification.

Others

In stems with a diameter of one to two inches an age of almost 100 years was found. The plant is called by mountain farmers also " Rostzetten " or " True Alpenrose ". As a "real Alpenrose " you but rather may the Alpine Rose or Alpine mountain dog rose or rose (Rosa pendulina ) denote that really belongs to the genus of roses.