CHINESE RHODODENDRONS 15 



"The low-level species, such as R. indicum and R. 

 sinense, are abundant on scrub-clad hills and, whilst the 

 former extends from the east to the west of the country, 

 the latter scarcely occurs west of long. 112. In Central 

 and Western China, with the exception of the above two 

 species and R. Mariesii, no Rhododendron occurs below 

 4000 feet. Above this altitude they occur in woods and 

 forests in increasing numbers, reaching their optimum at 

 about 11,000 feet. In the regions traversed by me, 15,500 

 feet was the altitudinal limit of the genus. Farther west, 

 however, it is somewhat higher. Rhododendrons are gre- 

 garious plants, nearly every species having a well-defined 

 habitat. In size they vary from alpine plants only a few 

 inches high, to trees 40 feet high. In colour they range 

 from pure white, through clear yellow, to rich shades of 

 scarlet and crimson. At low levels, miles of the hill- 

 sides often are ablaze with the scarlet R. indicum. Up 

 to 9000 feet the Rhododendrons occur in constantly in- 

 creasing numbers, in company with mixed dicotyledonous 

 trees and shrubs and conifers. Above 9000 feet they form 

 the predominant shrubby vegetation, either as under- 

 growth in the conifer forests or above the tree limit, where 

 they form impenetrable thickets. In late May and June 

 these areas present a scene of indescribable beauty." 



Some of the Chinese Rhododendrons are wild also in 

 Japan. One of the best is R. Fortunei, which has large, 

 white, fragrant flowers, with six or seven segments. It was 

 introduced by Fortune in 1859, an< ^ nas proved to be quite 

 hardy in the warmer parts of the British Islands. R. in- 

 dicum (Azalea indica) is a native of China and Japan, and 

 in a wild state it has either persistent or deciduous leaves 

 and small, reddish flowers. Like certain other plants of 



