|
NEW PROJECT TO CONSERVE THE WORLD'S LARGEST RHODODENDRON SPECIES
The Global Trees Campaign has inititated work in China to conserve the world's largest rhododendron species Rhododendron protistum var. giganteum, known locally as the Big Tree Rhododendron. Although popular as an ornamental, fewer than 100 individual Big Tree rhododendrons are known in the wild and the species is only known with any certainty in one nature reserve in China.
China is home to over half of all rhododendron species, including the world's largest - the Big Tree Rhododendron. The Big Tree is only known in the wild with any certainty from Gaoligongshan Mountain in south west Yunnan, China, although there are reports that it is also found in Myanmar. Fewer than 100 trees are thought to exist at Gaoligongshan, and the variety is considered Critically Endangered within China.
Despite its distinctiveness, little is known of the biology and ecology of the tree in the wild but its low population numbers and very restricted area of occurrence mean it is a high priority for conservation
The new Global Trees Campaign project aims to improve knowledge of the ecology of the species, as well as working with local nature reserve staff to protect it and promote its regeneration
See Conservation of the Big tree Rhododendron, China for more information.
Back to Latest News
|
