Wildflower of the valley
Bell Rhododendron
Rhododendron campanulatum
- How easy to find
- Easy to see — you will see it easily on the trail
- Flower size
- Large
- Family
- Ericaceae (Heath family)
- Local name
- Cheu, Chimul
- Type
- Herb
- Height
- large
- Altitude
- 3200–4500 m
- Flower colour
- red,white
- Flowering
- April to June
About Bell Rhododendron
Rhododendron campanulatum is a gregarious evergreen herb of 1.5 to 2.5 m. Leaves are broadly elliptic to oblong or oval shaped. Flowers are pale mauve, rosy purple or rarely white colored spotted with purple. The specific name Campanulatum means bell shaped with reference to bell shaped flowers.
Where to find it
- Near the entrance of the valley
- In the middle of the valley
- In the deeper parts of the valley
Habitat
Alpine shruberries and slopes of mountains.
Uses & folklore
In India and Nepal roots are used in treating boils and leaves are used to alleviate cough, cold, headache, fever, rheumatism, sciatica and skin disease, syphilis.
What the name means
Rhododendron: Greek rhodon (rose) + dendron (tree); campanulatum means "bell-shaped", after the flowers.
Don't confuse it with
R. lepidotum (sno 72) is a tiny alpine shrub; R. campanulatum forms the highest rhododendron woodlands in the Himalaya.
More photos
Photographed near Ghangaria in May 2025, before the valley opens on 1 June. 
Photographed near Ghangaria in May 2025, before the valley opens on 1 June.
