Rhododendron campanulatum
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Rhododendron genus in the family Ericaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Genus
- Rhododendron
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 4.5 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are considered to be poisonous[4]. The flowers of many species can cause intoxication in large quantities[2].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are mixed with tobacco and used as a snuff in the treatment of colds and headaches that affect only one side of the head[5]. The juice of the leaves is also used in the treatment of chronic rheumatism, sciatica and syphilis[5][7]. The dried twigs and wood are used in the treatment of phthisis and chronic fevers[5].
- Product or use
- Miscellany
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An excellent fuel wood is obtained from this plant[7].
- Product or use
- Fuel
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan.
- Habitat
- Found on open slopes in the alpine zone at elevations between 2,800 and 4,400 metres[7]. Rhododendron thickets on mountain slopes[6].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- very acid, acid
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn and given artificial light. Alternatively sow the seed in a lightly shaded part of the warm greenhouse in late winter or in a cold greenhouse in April. Surface-sow the seed and do not allow the compost to become dry[3]. Pot up the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter. Layering in late July. Takes 15 - 24 months[8]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame. Difficult[8].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in most humus rich lime free soils except those of a dry arid nature or heavy or clayey[1]. Prefers a peaty or well-drained sandy loam[1]. Succeeds in sun or shade, the warmer the climate the more shade a plant requires[3]. Requires a pH between 4.5 and 5.5[3]. Succeeds in a woodland though, because of its surface-rooting habit[3], it does not compete well with surface-rooting trees[1]. Plants need to be kept well weeded, they dislike other plants growing over or into their root system, in particular they grow badly with ground cover plants, herbaceous plants and heathers[3]. There are many named varieties selected for their ornamental value[3]. Plants form a root ball and are very tolerant of being transplanted, even when quite large, so long as the root ball is kept intact[3]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[3].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Coventry. B. O. Wild Flowers of Kashmir Raithby, Lawrence and Co. 1923-00-00
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00