rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum)
Family: Ericaceae
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| Form:
This is an evergreen shrub species that often forms dense thickets. |
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Leaves: Shape: elliptical Margin: entire Texture: dark green above, glaucous below with rust colored hairs |
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| Bark:
It’s relatively smooth and thin bark has a gray to red-brown color. |
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| Flowers and Fruit:
It develops pink and white flowers with 5 petals. The seeds are enclosed in a brown husk. |
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| Range:
It occurs in Maine along the Appalachians south into Georgia. |
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| Silvics:
It is very tolerant of shade and prefers coves, moist mountain slopes and stream banks. |
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| Ecological and Cultural Importance:
Rhododendron wilts during periods of drought and is thought to be expanding it’s range out of creek beds due to fire suppression. |
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