About Rhododendron hirsutum L.
Rhododendron hirsutum L., commonly known as the hairy alpenrose, is a Rhododendron species native to the mountains of Europe. It is widespread across most of the Alps, but is absent from the southwestern Alps region, which lies approximately south and west of the Matterhorn. This species has also become naturalized in parts of the Carpathians. It grows exclusively on carbonate-rich soils. Its close relative, R. ferrugineum, grows on acid soils, and where the two species grow together, they frequently produce the natural hybrid Rhododendron × intermedium.
