Rhododendron maximum L.
Great rhododendron, great laurel, rosebay rhododendron, American rhododendron, big rhododendron, great rhododendon
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass Asteridae A large class that encompasses asters
Order Ericales Tea, persimmon, blueberry, Brazil nut, azalea, many others
Family Ericaceae Heath or heather family
Genus Rhododendron From Greek rhodos, “rose,” and dendron, “tree”
Species maximum Largest
About plant names...
These largest of the rhododendron family are natives of eastern North America.
Identification: These large shrubs often reach 13′ (4 m)
in height, rarely reaching heights of 33′ (10 m). Trunks are multiply branched, crooked, forming
gangly, sparse shapes when there is little light, and even, dense foliage in ample light.
Leaves are 3½-7″ (9-19 cm) × ¾-1½″ (2-4 cm), elliptical, with smooth edges, dark
glossy green on top, light green or tan below, with a prominent central vein. Flowers
appear in attractive, dense clusters of up to 25. They are bell-shaped; pink, white tinged with pink, or white
and spotted; 1½-2″ (3.8-5 cm) across. Fruits are clusters of oval pods about ½″ (1.3 cm) × ¼″ (6.3 mm), green,
maturing to brown and splitting into five sections.
Edibility: Poisonous Leaves are toxic to people
and many animals.
Online References:
Www.carolinanature.com
Www.rosebay.org
The USDA Plants Database
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database
Www.nh.gov
5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm)
5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm)
6/19/2016 · Rhododendron State Park, Between Fitzwilliam and Richmond, New Hampshire · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)
6/1/2008 · Holden, Massachusetts · By Philip A. Despo
6/19/2016 · Rhododendron State Park, Between Fitzwilliam and Richmond, New Hampshire · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)
6/19/2016 · Rhododendron State Park, Between Fitzwilliam and Richmond, New Hampshire
Older scientific or horticultural names
Rhododendron ashleyi Coker
Rhododendron maximum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
9/28/2011 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain
7/5/2012 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)
5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)
7/5/2012 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)
6/19/2016 · Rhododendron State Park, Between Fitzwilliam and Richmond, New Hampshire
6/19/2016 · Rhododendron State Park, Between Fitzwilliam and Richmond, New Hampshire
3/9/2012 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)
12/22/2011 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (14 × 22 cm)
6/19/2016 · Rhododendron State Park, Between Fitzwilliam and Richmond, New Hampshire
6/19/2016 · Rhododendron State Park, Between Fitzwilliam and Richmond, New Hampshire
7/5/2012 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (14 × 22 cm)
Range: Zones 3-7:
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