Rhododendron macrophyllum
| Pacific rhododendron | |
|---|---|
| File:Rhododendron macrophyllum 4861.JPG | |
| In the Olympic Peninsula, Washington | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Rhododendron |
| Section: | Rhododendron sect. Pontica |
| Species: | R. macrophyllum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Rhododendron macrophyllum | |
| File:Rhododendron macrophyllum range map.png | |
| Natural range | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Rhododendron californicum Hook. | |
Rhododendron macrophyllum, also known as the Pacific rhododendron,[2] California rose bay,[3] California rhododendron, coast rhododendron[4] or big leaf rhododendron, is a large-leaved species of Rhododendron native to the Pacific Coast of North America. It is the state flower of Washington.[4]
Description
[edit | edit source]It is an evergreen shrub growing up to 2–9 m (7–30 ft) tall. The leaves, retained for 2–3 years, are 7–23 cm (3–9 in) long and 3–7 cm (1–3 in) broad. The flowers are 2.8–4 cm (1.1–1.6 in) long, with five lobes on the corolla; color is usually pink, although variants exist.
Distribution
[edit | edit source]The northern limit of its range is somewhat north of the border between Canada and the United States in British Columbia. It is found as far south as Monterey Bay in California.[5] It is widely distributed in the Coast Mountains and Cascade Range. It is less abundant in the coastal mountains of Washington and northern Oregon and more common south of the Siuslaw River. It is mostly coastal in distribution but extends its range eastward to locations in the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.[5]
Habitat
[edit | edit source]Rhododendron macrophyllum, like many rhododendrons, thrives in disturbed habitats such as roadside embankments and recently deforested wildlands[citation needed]. In its native range, it can be found growing at sea level up to 1800 m (6000 ft.).[6]
History and cultivation
[edit | edit source]Archibald Menzies found R. macrophyllum growing along with Arbutus menziesii in May 1792 when he and George Vancouver made their second landfall after leaving Hawaii, near present-day Port Discovery, Washington.[7] Seed was sent to England in 1850 by William Lobb.
In recent years it has been the main focus of a study group at the Rhododendron Species Foundation in Federal Way, Washington, the Western North American Rhododendron Species Project.[8] The WNARSP is documenting the detailed range and forms of all of the western North American rhododendron species.
Toxicity
[edit | edit source]The species contains andromedotoxin, which can poison the honey of nearby hives.[9]
References
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- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Coast rhododendron. Washington State Legislator. Retrieved 2025-11-9.
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- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Justice, Clive L. Mr. Menzies' Garden Legacy, Plant Collecting on the Northwest Coast. 2000. Cavendish Books. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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Other sources
[edit | edit source]- Davidian, H. H. The Rhododendron Species, Volume III – Elepidotes continued. 1992. Timber Press. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
- Cox, Peter A. & Kenneth N.E. The Encyclopedia of Rhododendron Species. 1997. Glendoick Publishing. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
External links
[edit | edit source]- Error creating thumbnail: File missing Media related to Lua error in Module:Commons_link at line 62: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). at Wikimedia Commons
- File:Wikispecies-logo.svg Data related to Rhododendron macrophyllum at Wikispecies
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