Rhododendron macrophyllum
Species of plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| Pacific rhododendron | |
|---|---|
| |
| In the Olympic Peninsula, Washington | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| 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 | |
 | |
| Natural range | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Rhododendron californicum Hook. | |
Description
Distribution
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
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
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
The species contains andromedotoxin, which can poison the honey of nearby hives.[9]
