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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Rhododendron albiflorum

Rhododendron albiflorum Hook.

Cascade Azalea, White Rhododendron

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: rhal2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

A shrub with 1-4 white, bowl-shaped flowers clustered in leaf axils along the stem.

This species does not produce the spectacular brilliant flowers that many of its relatives do, yet its dainty clusters of mildly citrus-scented white flowers and bright green leaves are delightful. The genus name comes from the Greek rhodon ("rose") and dendron ("tree").

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 8 feet tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Usually white, rarely with yellow marks.

Distribution

USA: CO , ID , MT , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: British Columbia; south to Oregon; east to western Montana.
Native Habitat: Wet places in the mountains.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: None

Benefit

Warning: Rhododendrons contain poisonous substances and should not be ingested by humans or animals. Honey made from flowers also may be toxic. POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Highly Toxic, May be Fatal if eaten. Symptoms include salivation, watering of eyes and nose, abdominal pain, loss of energy, depression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, difficult breathing, progressive paralysis of arms and legs, coma. Toxic Principle: Andromedotoxin. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Bumble Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			FACU			FACW				FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Rhododendron albiflorum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Rhododendron albiflorum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rhododendron albiflorum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-03
Research By: TWC Staff

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