Rhododendron maximum L.
Great rhododendron, great laurel, rosebay rhododendron, American rhododendron, big rhododendron
These largest of the rhododendron family are natives of eastern North America.
Plants: These large shrubs often reach 13′ (4 m) in height, rarely reaching heights of 33′ (10 m). Trunks are multiply branched, crooked, forming gangly, sparse shapes when there is little light, and even, dense foliage in ample light.
Leaves: 3½–7 ⨉ ¾–1½″ (9–19 ⨉ 2–4 cm), elliptical, with smooth edges, dark glossy green on top, light green or tan below, with a prominent central vein.
Flowers: Gaudy, attractive, dense clusters of up to 25. They are bell-shaped; pink, white tinged with pink, or white and spotted; 1½–2″ (3.8–5 cm) across.
Fruits: Clusters of oval pods about ½ ⨉ ¼″ (1.3 cm ⨉ 6.3 mm), green, maturing to brown and splitting into five sections
Habitats: The dominant species of Rhododendron in the southern Appalachian region; also occurs occasionally on mesic hill-slopes throughout the upper Piedmont Crescent of the Southeastern United States.
Edibility: Poisonous 
Leaves are toxic to people
and many animals.
Online References:
Rhododendron ashleyi Coker
5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm) 
6/17/2026 · Hamilton Audubon Sanctuary, West Bath, Maine · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm) 
ID is uncertain 
5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm) 
6/19/2016 · Rhododendron State Park, Between Fitzwilliam and Richmond, New Hampshire · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm) 
6/1/2008 · Holden, Massachusetts · By Philip A. Despo 
6/19/2016 · Rhododendron State Park, Between Fitzwilliam and Richmond, New Hampshire · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm) 
6/19/2016 · Rhododendron State Park, Between Fitzwilliam and Richmond, New Hampshire 
9/28/2011 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain 
7/5/2012 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm) 
5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) 
7/5/2012 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm) 
6/19/2016 · Rhododendron State Park, Between Fitzwilliam and Richmond, New Hampshire 
6/19/2016 · Rhododendron State Park, Between Fitzwilliam and Richmond, New Hampshire 
3/9/2012 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm) 
12/22/2011 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 8″ (14 × 19 cm) 
6/19/2016 · Rhododendron State Park, Between Fitzwilliam and Richmond, New Hampshire 
6/19/2016 · Rhododendron State Park, Between Fitzwilliam and Richmond, New Hampshire 
6/17/2026 · Hamilton Audubon Sanctuary, West Bath, Maine · ≈ 13 × 9″ (34 × 22 cm) ID is uncertain 
7/5/2012 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (14 × 22 cm) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Asteridae | A large class that encompasses asters |
| Order | Ericales | Tea, persimmon, blueberry, Brazil nut, azalea, many others |
| Family | Ericaceae | Heath or heather family |
| Genus | Rhododendron | From Greek rhodos, “rose,” and dendron, “tree” |
| Species | maximum | Largest |
Rhododendron maximum description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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