Eastern blood Rhododendron, Giantblood rhododendron
Rhododendron barbatum

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A large evergreen shrub. It can be a small tree. It grows 6 m high and spreads 6 m wide. The bark is smooth and dark red-brown. It peels off. The young shoots have long stiff bristles. The leaves are dark green and glossy. They are oblong and 20 cm long. They are dull green underneath. The flowers are bright red. They are fleshy and 8 cm long. They are in compact rounded groups. There can be 10-20 in a group.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows between 2500-3500 m altitude in Uttar Pradesh in India. It suits hardiness zones 7-9. In Rhodo garden.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Northeastern India, Sikkim, Tasmania, Tibet

How it is used for food

The flowers are eaten raw in salad. They are also ground and used to make a sauce and for cold drinks. These have a slightly acid sweet taste. CAUTION: The flowers contain a toxic substance andromedotoxin.

Edible parts

Flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Burans, Chimal, Chimula, Guras, Kato chimal, Kemu, Lalchimal, Laliguras

Synonyms

Rhododendron lancifolium Hook.f.;