Eco-Physiology of the Rhododedron anthopogon D. Don a dwarf aromatic shrub of the Indian Himalaya

Abstract

Abstract Rhododendrons are the Himalayan ecological, cultural, aesthetic, and economic entity; some of its varieties are edible and medicinal. Rhododendron anthopogon D. Don is an alpine Rhododendron that grows above tree lines in the Himalaya. This is a dwarf Rhododendron with fragrant leaves that are employed in numerous traditional Himalayan medical systems. This plant's essential oil is pale and contains antibacterial, antioxidant, and insecticidal effects. This manuscript comprises an eco-physiological investigation of R. anthopogon on an altitudinal and seasonal basis in the Tungnath Himalaya of Uttarakhand, India. We observed that the altitudinal gradient shapes the phyto-sociology of R. anthopogon, which is one of the dominant species in its habitat. Leaf morphology and phytochemicals (pigments, total soluble sugar, starch and protein, total phenolic content, Malondialdehyde content, Superoxide dismutase and Peroxidase enzyme activities) of the R. anthopogon leaves showed altitudinal and seasonal variations, indicating their importance in thriving in the harsh alpine conditions. The seed germination experiment in R. anthopogon was also carried and observed that the synergistic effect of cold stratification and GA3 reduced the mean germination time while increasing the final germination percentage.