Nagaland - Tree Rhododendron

Botanical Name: Rhododendron arboretum

Local Name: Known as Nithu in Angami, Lindai in Mao. Angami and Mao are languages spoken in Nagaland.

'Rhododendron arboreum', by Marcus334, licensed under CC BY 3.0

Reason for being the state flower

The main reason it was chosen as the state flower was the fact that they are abundantly cultivated here.

Symbolic Meaning

Worldwide it symbolizes beauty and energy. It can help tie a bouquet together with its symbolism of optimism and cheer.

Uses

The flowers are edible and hence are used by local population in many ways. Most common being to make a snack called 'kachru' or used to make chutney and a type of 'squash'. It is believed to have cooling properties hence the dried petal powder is inhaled to stop nose bleeding. The flowers are also used for treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, headache, nose bleeding, rheumatism, wound, fever and blood pressure.

Interesting Fact

Traditionally, Nagas would boil the flower and drink its water when a fish bone

would get stuck in the throat.

Bibliography

http://bsienvis.nic.in/writereaddata/Nagaland%20State%20Flower_4_12.pdf

https://florgeous.com/rhododendron-flower-meaning/

https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/nagaland/why-three-brothers-planted-500-rhododendron-saplings-in-nagaland-

5876792/

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/himachaltribune/rhododendron-on-the-verge-of-extinction-761171