Rhododendron macrophyllum

California rhododendron, California Rhododendron

Family: Ericaceae · Type: shrub · Native

California rhododendron is a California native shrub found in northern coastal, Klamath Ranges, northern coastal ranges, central coastal, and San Francisco Bay Area regions in conifer forest margins at elevations below 1,515 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white to pink or purple flowers with brown-yellow flecks, arranged in clusters of 10 to 20 blooms. Growing up to 4 meters tall with coarse branches and stout twigs, it forms a robust and spreading shrub. Its leathery, evergreen leaves are large, measuring 6 to 12 centimeters long and 3 to 5 centimeters wide, with a flat margin and an impressed midvein. The fruit is elongated and dehisces from tip to base.

Habitat: Conifer forest margins

Bloom period: Apr-Jul

Elevation: < 1515 m

Bioregions: NCo, KR, NCoRO, CCo, SnFrB

California counties: Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte, Marin, Monterey, Siskiyou, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Alameda, Trinity

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.