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.