The Variety of Species in NTU

The azaleas mostly seen along Palm Avenue are Rhododendron mucronatum, including “Rhododendron pulchrum,” “Rhododendron mucronatum ‘Akemono’,” “Rhododendron mucronatum ‘Shiroyukyu’” and “Rhododendron niveum.” Rhododendron pulchrum are rose-purple flowers with red flecks in the core. Flowers of Rhododendron mucronatum ‘Akemono’ are pink, dotted by red flecks in the core. Rhododendron mucronatum ‘Shiroyukyu’ are white flowers with chartreuse flecks in the core. The white petals of Rhododendron niveum are flecked with red specks or stripes. The flowering season of these four species falls around mid-March. “Rhododendron scabrum,” another common species on campus, blooms vermillion flowers with dark red spots in its core. The florescence of Rhododendron scabrum is slightly later than the previous four, as the flowers flourish around mid April. “Rhododendron indicum,” a type of azalea that only blossoms when summer approaches, thrives in front of Building No. 1, as well as the neighboring areas of New Moon Pavilion and the Main Library. Additionally, several shrubs of the rare and precious “Rhododendron kanehirai” are preserved. The upstream area of Beishi River used to be the original habitat of the species, but the construction of Feitsui Reservoir has resulted in the near extinction of the native plants in the wild. Moreover, a small number of the shrubs of “Rhododendron oldhamii Maxim,” “Rhododendron x hybrida” and “NTU Hybrid Rhododendron” can be seen, among which Rhododendron oldhamii Maxim is native to Taiwan.

(Text provided by NTU Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture)