Azalea Biological Clock Disrupted by Temperature Changes

December 7 is Major Snow, one of the 24 solar terms in the lunar calendar, but at the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area in Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie, at an altitude of 1100 m, large numbers of wild azaleas along the walking paths have produced fiery red blooms.

In Mujiao Township, Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, Huaihua City, which has a well-preserved ecology, azaleas are also blooming in the wind. Azaleas generally bloom in early spring, so flowering in winter is truly rare.

Amid a stretch of green shade, a cluster of purplish-red azaleas is blooming vibrantly, setting each other off against the cliff edge and the yellow leaves, drawing many tourists to stop and take photos. On the azalea trees there are also some large azalea buds, just about to open. It is understood that azaleas generally bloom from March to May each year, and the appearance of wild azaleas blooming out of season in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area is truly rare. According to relevant sources, the main reason for the out-of-season blooming in this area may be that sunlight, moisture, temperature and other conditions are all relatively suitable. In addition, it is also related to the generally higher temperatures this winter. Local gardening experts speculate that when cold air moved south some time ago, temperatures rose somewhat after September, and these few blooming azaleas may have mistaken it for the arrival of spring, causing their "biological clock" to change, and thus they bloomed early in winter.