When we hike in subalpine areas, we often come across white-flowered rhododendron (Rhododendron albiflorum).

• It is decidouous shrub, growing to 2m.
• It tends to have a spreading habit with thick masses of shrubs in wet or shady areas right up to treeline.
• Young twigs are thin and have fine red hairs.
• Lanceolate/oblong pointed green or yellowish-green leaves grow in alternate clusters/whorls on branches and at the tips.
• White clusters of cup-shaped flowers each with 5 petals develop in the summer.
• All photos by the author.   Click an image for a lightbox view and a caption.

white mountain rhododendron on Zupjok Mountain

white rhododendron

white rhododendron

white-flowered rhododendron on Trophy Mountain in July

• Oval-shaped seed capsules form after flowering.
• This shrub is sometimes called “mountain misery” since it can act like a barrier to hikers going off-trail.
• All parts of the shrub are poisonous.
• When we are hiking in the Coquihalla Summit or in the mountains to the east or north, we encounter the shrub, enjoying the showy white scented petals.   We have tried to bushwhack through it too, and we can’t recommend it.

Here is a UBC YouTube video on white-flowered rhododendron: