ROSEBAY RHODODENDRON

or GREAT-LAUREL

ROSEBAY RHODODENDRON or Great-Laurel (Rhododendron maximum)

Rosebay rhododendron is a shrub or straggling tree up to 30 feet high. It is a very rare species found locally in parts of Somerset, Franklin, Cumberland and York Counties in damp woods or near pond margins.

The leaves are evergreen, ovate to oblong, alternate, entire, 4-8 inches long, thick and leathery, with the margin frequently rolled under. They are smooth and dark green above, pale below.

The flowers are bell-shaped and occur in dense clusters. They are generally white with a pinkish tinge, with variations possible.

The fruit are oblong, woody capsules covered with sticky hairs. They are borne terminally in erect clusters on stalks several times longer than the capsule.

The twigs are hairy.