Rhododendron mucronulatum. Primorye region
In spring
in cities, forests and hills of Primorye, delicate pink clouds appear. This is
the rhododendron blooming. Its delicate flowers represent both the fragility
and strength of nature. The Russian folk name of rhododendron is bagulnik, and
it is also called the Primorye sakura.
There are
more than 10 species of rhododendrons in the Russian Far East, 8 species in
Primorye region, and one species that needs protection in Vladivostok suburbs.
It is rhododendron mucronulatum (lat. "sharply pointed"). Since 1994,
thanks to the proposal of the outstanding botanist of Russia Sigismund
Kharkevich, rhododendron mucronulatum has become one of the two symbols of
Vladivostok along with the Amur tiger. By the way, Vladivostok is the only city
in Russia that has legally approved natural symbols. And in 2024 this plant
celebrates a kind of anniversary.
According
to Irina Krestova, a researcher at the Botanical Garden-Institute of the Far
East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the pointed rhododendron is not
found anywhere else in nature.
"It is a
kind of our exclusive house plant. 20 years ago we had the idea to hold a
children's conference "Rhododendron Day", where scientific and creative works
of children were presented. The following years the themes of the conference
changed, and in this anniversary year we again returned to this plant. The city
authorities picked up the story, and it was decided to hold the Rhododendron
Festival for the first time," she said.
The history
of rhododendron culture is more than 300 years old, and it is connected with
the history of introduction. The work of the Botanical Garden-Institute of the
FEB RAS on introduction of rhododendrons in Primorye was started in 1989. Over
the past period more than 100 species have been tested. Now the collection of
rhododendrons in the Botanical Garden-Institute of the FEB RAS is the largest
in Russia and includes 45 species, varieties and forms.
"Our
collection is the largest on the territory of Russia from the Ural Mountains to
the Pacific Ocean. It includes species from the most different geographical
points of the globe. There are rhododendrons of European origin, from the
mountains of the Caucasus and Turkey, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, from North and
Central America, — said Irina Krestova. — Now is the time of blooming of
rhododendron, which "lives" in the Primorye region. It grows lushly on the
Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, a lot on Russky Island, on the territory of the
Vladivostok Fortress Museum, rocks, fields, slopes. Rhododendron is a very
enduring and unpretentious plant. And on May 19, Rhododendron Day is celebrated
annually".
During
blooming it emits so much essential oils that if you bring a burning match to
the bush in the dry season, it flares up colorless flame. This essential
“cloud” protects the flowers from night frosts, which occurs in early spring
pretty often.
There is a
belief in Primorye that in the Ussuri taiga lives a mysterious Serpent Healer,
and that he can be summoned if you set fire to a sprig of bagulnik. Then he
will come to the intoxicating odor, wrap himself around a person and drive out
any disease from them.
At the same
time, it has so coincided that Flower Festival at the RUSSIA EXPO in Moscow and
Rhododendron Festival in Primorye (under the auspices of the Tourist
Information Center of the PR) will be held at the same time. Tourists who
happen to be in Primorye region on these days will have a great opportunity to
walk along the excursion routes and admire the flowers, and even try desserts
and drinks made of rhododendron.
Along with the RUSSIA EXPO, the flower festival is also coming to an end.
The "Future in Flowers" festival continues at the RUSSIA EXPO, where unique flowerbeds from all regions of our country can be seen at the "Space" pavilion until July 8.
The RUSSIA EXPO concludes on July 8, and with it, the flower festival will also come to an end.