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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Rhododendron maximum

Great Rhododendron, Rosebay Rhododendron

Scientific Name:

Rhododendron maximum

Genus:

Rhododendron

Species Epithet:

maximum

Common Name:

Great Rhododendron, Rosebay Rhododendron

Plant Type

Tree/Shrub

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

12-36 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White, Pink

Light:

Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist, Wet

Bloom Time:

June, July, August

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont

Habitat Description:

Moist slopes, wet flats, bogs, swamps, north-facing bluffs in the Piedmont. Common in NC Mountains, uncommon in Piedmont.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Evergreen

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Apparently most closely related to R. ponticum Linnaeus of Turkey and vicinity (Milne 2004).

Tight Bud

image

Black Mountain, July 2005
© MB Baumeister

Showing Color

image

Black Mountain, July 2005
© MB Baumeister

Plumping Up

image

Black Mountain, July 2005
© MB Baumeister

First Flower Open

image

Black Mountain, July 2005
© MB Baumeister

Fully Open

image

Black Mountain, July 2005
© MB Baumeister

Branch with Blooms

image

Black Mountain, July 2005
© MB Baumeister

Blooming Plant

image

Black Mountain, July 2005
© MB Baumeister

Spent flowers on the forest floor

Transylvania County, NC

The Scientific Name is Rhododendron maximum. You will likely hear them called Great Rhododendron, Rosebay Rhododendron. This picture shows the Spent flowers on the forest floor of Rhododendron maximum

Bettina Darveaux

Can form very dense, almost impenetrable stands

Julian Price Memorial Park, Watauga Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Rhododendron maximum. You will likely hear them called Great Rhododendron, Rosebay Rhododendron. This picture shows the Can form very dense, almost impenetrable stands of Rhododendron maximum

Bettina Darveaux

The new growth in the spring, before the flowers open, are also very attractive.

Julian Price Memorial Park, Watauga Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Rhododendron maximum. You will likely hear them called Great Rhododendron, Rosebay Rhododendron. This picture shows the The new growth in the spring, before the flowers open, are also very attractive. of Rhododendron maximum

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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