The magic flower of Lendorf

Background: the yellow rhododendron, also known as the “magic flower of Lendorf” is a botanical rarity that grows in bushes in the west of the municipality’s territory (this is the only site in Austria where Rhododendrum luteum Sweet grows). It grows in a few other areas in East Europe and on the mountains to the south of the Black Sea. Its yellow-orange flower remains in bloom from mid-May to the start of June. Different hypotheses have been proposed on the provenance of the Lendorf magic flower: it may be a relic of an ice age, it could have been planted here at the time of the Romans by a citizen of Teurnia, or its seeds may have been brought here by migrating birds. Since 1937 the plant has been on the list of protected species and it has been declared a natural monument