Plant Database

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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Rhododendron macrophyllum

Rhododendron macrophyllum D. Don ex G. Don

Pacific Rhododendron, California Rhododendron, California Rosebay, Red Rhododendron

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonym(s): Rhododendron californicum

USDA Symbol: rhma3

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

California Rhododendron is a 5-15 ft. evergreen shrub with large whorls of leathery, dark-green, oblong leaves setting off spectacular flower clusters. Individual flowers are bell-shaped and range in color from pink to deep rose-purple. When growing in woods, the plants become tree-like to 25 ft. with an attractive, leggy appearance. When open-grown the plant is shorter and more compact. Evergreen shrub with large, deep green, leathery leaves and rounded clusters of large, pink, tubular flowers.

This is the showiest flowering shrub in the forests of western North America, with flower clusters that nearly rival in size and number those of its cultivated relatives. Pacific Rhododendron is confined to drier forest environments in western Washington, where it is the state flower. These same environments, however, are among the moister ones occurring in northern California, at the southern limit of this shrub’s range. The plant is most abundant in Oregon, where mass displays provide a spectacular show in late spring and early summer.

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