# Pacific rhododendron (*Rhododendron macrophyllum*) The Pacific rhododendron is a beautiful shrub with big, colorful flowers. It grows in forests and brings joy to everyone who sees it in bloom. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Pacific rhododendron](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rhododendron_macrophyllum_biscuit_june_2005.jpg&width=800) Photo: Robert Dunning, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhododendron_macrophyllum_biscuit_june_2005.jpg) ## Appearance The Pacific rhododendron is a large, evergreen shrub featuring thick, leathery leaves. Its showy, bell-shaped flowers bloom in large clusters, typically vibrant pink to rose-purple, sometimes white. The impressive size of its flower trusses makes it stand out. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Ericales - **Family:** Ericaceae - **Genus:** Rhododendron ## Interesting facts - It is the official state flower of Washington, chosen for its beauty. - Its nectar can create "mad honey" which can be toxic to humans! - Some wild Pacific rhododendrons have been known to live for over 100 years! - The name "Rhododendron" comes from Greek words meaning "rose tree"! ## Special abilities - **Evergreen Powerhouse:** Pacific rhododendron has tough, evergreen leaves that help it photosynthesize and grow all year round. - **Pollinator Beacon:** Pacific rhododendron can attract bees and butterflies with its large, vibrant flower clusters to ensure reproduction. - **Drought Defender:** Pacific rhododendron has leathery leaves that help reduce water loss, surviving drier conditions. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 100-900 cm - **Spread:** 100-700 cm - **Flower Size:** 4-7 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** High - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Western Bumblebee (*Bombus occidentalis*) — collects nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** [Western Tiger Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-tiger-swallowtail) (*Papilio rutulus*) — visits flowers for nectar - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — may browse leaves, but it's toxic - **Shelter:** American Black Bear (*Ursus americanus*) — uses dense thickets for cover ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not eat any part of the plant, as it can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pacific rhododendron? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Pacific rhododendron? 100-900 cm ### How wide does Pacific rhododendron spread? 100-700 cm ### How big are the flowers on Pacific rhododendron? 4-7 cm ### When does Pacific rhododendron bloom? Spring to early summer ### Is Pacific rhododendron edible? No ### Is Pacific rhododendron toxic? High ### What is Pacific rhododendron's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Audubon Canyon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-canyon) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oregon-caves-national-monument-and-preserve) — Oregon, US · National Park - [Wind River Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wind-river-arboretum) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden - [Skagit Valley Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skagit-valley-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Twanoh State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/twanoh-state-park) — Washington, US · State Park [View all places to see Pacific rhododendron](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pacific-rhododendron) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Pacific rhododendron: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-rhododendron)