Discussion on development and utilization of Rhododendron resources in Hunan

Taxonomy,distribution,evolution,the development and utilization history of Rhododendron were discussed,and the relationship between Hunan's nature ecology environment and Rhododendron's distribution were emphatically explored,and the utilization prospect of Rhododendron was analyzed.The results show that Rhododendron is a kind of worldwide plant,and 1 000 populations were formed after more than one thousand years reproduction.China where about 570 Rhododendron species were distributed is really a kingdom of Rhododendron.At present,wild Rhododendron were found in almost all provinces in China except for Xinjiang and Qinghai,and the Himalayas(Sichuan-Tibet as the core area) is the abundance center and diversity center of Rhododendron in China.After textual research,53 species 1 subspecies 1 variety wild Rhododendron which subject to 4 subgenus were found in Hunan,and south-west,south and west Hunan were the main distribution areas of Rhododendron in Hunan.At the same time,new ideas on development and utilization of wild Rhododendron were put forward: Rhododendron introduction and domestication should go ahead of the rest,and innovation on Rhododendron cultivating should be taken as a target.