Rhododendron cinnabarinum

Hook. f.

Ericaceae Edible: Flowers Potential hazards — see below 87 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Rhododendron cinnabarinum (朱砂杜鹃) is a rhododendron species native to eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, southeastern Tibet, and southwest China, where it grows at altitudes of 1,900–4,000 m (6,200–13,100 ft). It is a straggling evergreen shrub that grows to 1–3 m (3.3–9.8 ft) in height, with leathery leaves that are broadly elliptic, oblong-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate or ovate, 3–6 by 1.5–2.5 cm in size. The flowers are yellow to cinnabar red, sometimes ranging to plum colors.

Description

An evergreen shrub. It grows 3 m high and spreads 2 m wide. It can be straggling. The leaves are round and waxy. They are 3-6 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. They are green. The flowers are at the ends of the branches. The flowers are bell shaped and red or orange and waxy. There are 3-9 flowers in a group.

Edible Uses

The flowers are used to prepare jam.

Traditional Uses

The flowers are used to prepare a jam. CAUTION: The plant contains a poison andromedotoxin which affects even honeymade from the flowers.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

The plant contains andromedotoxin, a poison that affects even honey made from the flowers.

Distribution

A temperate plant. In SW China they are in open woodlands and on the edges of forests between 1,900-4,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 6-9. In Rhodo gardens. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Himalayas*, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Tasmania, Tibet,

Also Known As

Balu, Kechung, Kema, Labre gurans, Sanu chimal, Ye jiu

References (4)

Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 522
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1147
Guo, C., et al, 2022, An Ethnobotany Survey of Wild Plants Used by the Tibetan People of the Yadong River Valley, Tibet, China. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine p 24
Rhododendr. Sikkim-Himalaya t. 8. 1849