Rusty-Leaved Alpenrose

rhododendron ferrugineum

The Rusty-Leaved Alpenrose is an iconic evergreen shrub native to the high-altitude regions of the European Alps, Pyrenees, Jura, and northern Apennines. Renowned for its spectacular summer display, this hardy alpine specialist blankets slopes in vibrant pink to deep-red blossoms, transforming rugged mountainsides into colorful gardens. It serves a vital ecological role by stabilizing alpine soils and providing cover for high-altitude wildlife, though its foliage remains untouched by most grazers due to toxic compounds. Its persistent nature and stunning flowers have earned it a legendary status in European mountain folklore and alpine culture.

生息地: Found on acidic, nutrient-poor soils in subalpine and alpine dwarf-shrub heaths, open coniferous forests, and rocky mountain slopes.

外見

A low-growing, heavily branched shrub reaching heights of 30 to 100 cm, featuring leathery, dark-green elliptical leaves that are glossy on top and densely covered with rust-colored scales underneath. In early to mid-summer, it erupts with compact clusters of bell-shaped, bright rose-pink flowers, each with prominent stamens.

界Plantae門Tracheophyta綱Magnoliopsida目Ericales科Ericaceae属Rhododendron

Rusty-Leaved Alpenrose

カテゴリ

植物

レア度

Common

危険度

1/5 · 非常に低い

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おもしろい事実

All parts of the Rusty-Leaved Alpenrose contain grayanotoxins, making the plant and even honey made from its nectar highly toxic.

It is one of the classic symbolic flowers of the Alps, frequently celebrated in traditional alpine songs and folklore as a representation of resilience.

The rusty coloration on the leaf undersides is not dirt, but rather thousands of tiny protective glandular scales.

特殊能力

Dense glandular scales on the leaf undersides protect against water loss and shield the plant from harsh, high-altitude ultraviolet radiation.

Forms complex symbiotic relationships with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi, allowing it to absorb nutrients from extremely acidic and nutrient-deficient mountain soils.

Produces grayanotoxins in its tissues to deter herbivores and protect itself from grazing alpine livestock.

サイズと詳細

長さ: 30-100 cm
寿命: 50-100 年

食性と食事

As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own nutrients using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water through photosynthesis, supplemented by soil minerals via fungal symbiosis.

主な食物

Sunlight
Water
Carbon Dioxide
Soil Minerals

生態系とのつながり

mutualism

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Pollination partner that visits the flowers for nectar during the short alpine summer.

parasite

Spruce-Cone Rust

Chrysomyxa rhododendri

A parasitic rust fungus that infects the leaves of the Alpenrose, completing its complex life cycle between this plant and spruce trees.

host plant

Water Pipit

Anthus spinoletta

A high-altitude bird species that utilizes Alpenrose thickets for shelter and nesting sites.

特徴

このオブジェクトにはまだ特徴バッジが割り当てられていません。

別名

まだ別名はありません。

コレクション

テーマが追加されると、このオブジェクトのコレクションがここに表示されます。

安全性

危険度

1/5 · 非常に低い

まだ特別な安全上の注意はありません。

よくある質問

Rusty-Leaved Alpenroseを見分けるには？

Rusty-Leaved Alpenroseを識別する最も簡単な方法は、Snappit自然識別アプリを使用することです。

Rusty-Leaved Alpenroseの長さは何ですか？

30-100 cm

Rusty-Leaved Alpenroseの寿命は何ですか？

50-100 年

Rusty-Leaved Alpenroseは何を食べますか？

As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own nutrients using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water through photosynthesis, supplemented by soil minerals via fungal symbiosis.

Rusty-Leaved Alpenroseは通常どこに生息していますか？

Found on acidic, nutrient-poor soils in subalpine and alpine dwarf-shrub heaths, open coniferous forests, and rocky mountain slopes.