Soma Flowers Bloom on Dafengding, Mabian Rhododendrons “Go Live”

六月马边，杜鹃花盛放，构成群山深处的绝美画卷。初夏时节，在乐山市马边彝族自治县的大风顶，满山遍野的杜鹃花竞相绽放，随着海拔的升高，花朵愈发密集，色彩愈发艳丽，仿佛一片绚烂的花海，铺展在眼前。

In June, Mabian is embraced by the blooming rhododendrons, painting a stunning picture deep within the mountains. As early summer arrives, rhododendrons burst into full bloom across the hills in Dafengding, Mabian Yi Autonomous County, Leshan City. With the increase in altitude, the flowers grow denser and their colors become more vibrant, forming a splendid sea of blossoms that stretches out before the eyes.

Photo by Hewei

索玛花，又称杜鹃花，在彝语中被誉为“索玛”，承载着美丽与善良、坚韧与质朴的深远寓意。生长在高山海拔之地的它，以其丰富的色彩和独特的形态，成为了这片土地上不可或缺的风景，当漫山遍野的索玛花竞相绽放时，仿佛是大自然在诉说着这片土地上流传千年的故事。

Known as “Soma” in the Yi language, rhododendrons carry profound meanings of beauty, kindness, perseverance and simplicity. Growing at high altitudes, their rich colors and unique forms make them an indispensable landscape of this land. When Soma flowers blanket the mountains, it’s like nature telling the thousand-year-old stories passed down in this region.

Photo by Hewei

据了解，3月，低海拔的杜鹃开始开花，现在绽放的是3000米以上的低矮灌丛类的杜鹃花，花季将持续到7月。目前，大风顶已知有银叶杜鹃、美容杜鹃、树生杜鹃、海绵杜鹃、腋花杜鹃等24种杜鹃花，分布在海拔1300到4000米之间。

It is understood that rhododendrons at lower altitudes began blooming in March, and the current blossoms are low shrub rhododendrons above 3,000 meters. The blooming season will last until July. Currently, Dafengding is home to 24 known rhododendron species, including Rhododendron argyrophyllum, Rhododendron calophytum, Rhododendron dendrocharis, Rhododendron pingianum, and Rhododendron axillare, distributed between 1,300 and 4,000 meters above sea level.

Photo by Hewei