Rhododendron sp.
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Rhododendron sp. is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Rosa: Rhododendron has tubular bell-shaped flowers; Rosa has flat open flowers with separate petals.; vs Nerium: Rhododendron has alternate leaves; Nerium has leaves in whorls of 3-4.; vs Cordia: Rhododendron has fused petals forming tubes; Cordia has separate spreading petals.; vs Hibiscus: Rhododendron has many separate stamens; Hibiscus has stamens fused into a central column.; vs Gardenia: Rhododendron has alternate leaves; Gardenia has opposite or whorled leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rhododendron sp. native to California?
Yes. Rhododendron sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Rhododendron sp. belong to?
Rhododendron sp. is in the Ericaceae family, genus Rhododendron.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.