great rhododendron
ExplorePlants
great rhododendron
Rhododendron maximum
The great rhododendron is a beautiful shrub with big, colorful flowers. It grows in forests and can be very tall, making it a lovely sight in nature during springtime.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The great rhododendron has large, leathery evergreen leaves and showy clusters of bell-shaped flowers, typically white to pale pink with yellow-green spots on the upper petal. Its thick, woody stems support a dense, often rounded shrub or small tree form, visually distinct from deciduous forest undergrowth.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyEricaceaeGenusRhododendron
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Deer and other hungry animals mostly avoid eating its leaves because they taste bitter!
Honey made from its nectar can cause "mad honey disease" if consumed by humans!
Its scientific name, Rhododendron, literally means "rose tree" in ancient Greek!
Older great rhododendrons can form dense, secret "rhododendron hells" in forests!
Special abilities
Ability
Toxic Shield
Great rhododendron produces special toxins in its leaves and nectar that deter most hungry animals from eating it.
Ability
Cold Detector
Great rhododendron leaves curl downwards and inward in freezing temperatures, protecting them from extreme cold and water loss.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 200-1000 cm
- Spread
- 200-500 cm
- Flower Size
- 3-5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- High
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Gathers nectar, aiding reproduction.
eats
rhododendron lace bug
Stephanitis rhododendri
Feeds on sap from its leaves.
eaten by
white-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Occasionally browses leaves when desperate.
parasitizes
Cinnamon fungus
Phytophthora cinnamomi
Causes root rot and plant death.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not eat any part of the rhododendron, as it can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is great rhododendron?
200-1000 cm
How wide does great rhododendron spread?
200-500 cm
How big are the flowers on great rhododendron?
3-5 cm
When does great rhododendron bloom?
Summer
Is great rhododendron edible?
No
Is great rhododendron toxic?
High
What is great rhododendron's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is great rhododendron pollinated?
Insect
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