A Recant study has focussed on the flowering phenology of a Rhododendron wattii tree in the 27 sq. km. Dzukou Valley in Nagaland.
- The valley also extends into the adjoining Manipur.
- According to the study, it was the lone tree of the species within a specified area at 2,600 metres above the mean sea level.
- The only other Rhododendron wattii reported during a field survey in 2012-13 in the Nagaland part of Dzukou Valley was felled by the locals for firewood.
- Rhododendron wattii is endemic to Manipur and Nagaland.
- It was first collected by Sir George Watt from Nagaland’s Japfu Hill range during his 1882-85 survey.
- It is a small tree attaining a maximum height of 25 feet. There are more than 1,000 species of rhododendrons worldwide. The northeastern region has 129 of the 132 taxa recorded in India.
(Source: PIB)
