Abstract: The essential oil was extracted by steam distillation, and the components of essential oil were qualitatively analyzed by GC-MS combined with GC retention index. The bacteriostatic effect of Rhododendron essential oil on 9 kinds of pathogenic bacteria was preliminarily studied by filter paper diffusion method. The results showed that 82 compounds were identified in January, 58 in June and 25 in October. The essential oil of leaf of Rhododendron capitatum has certain inhibitory effects on Micrococcus lutea, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus hemolytis-β, Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella paratyphy B. The essential oil components in the leaves of Rhododendron capitatumin different seasons are quite different, which is a reference for the development and utilization of the essential oil in the leaves of Rhododendron capitatum.

Key words: Rhododendron capitatum, chemical composition of essential oil, antimicrobial activity