Rosebay Rhododendron
(Rhododendron maximum)
Taxonomy:
Kingdom Plantae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta
Division Magnoliophyta
Class Magnoliopsida
Subclass Dilleniidae
Order Ericales
Family Ericaceae
Genus Rhododendron L.
Species R.
maximum
(source: www.itis.usda.gov)
(source:
http://fwf.ag.utk.edu/dendro/species/rosebay.html)
General Description:
The Rosebay rhododendron, also known as 'great laurel', is an evergreen
shrub. It forms dense thickets on shady mountain slopes and stream banks. The
leaves are green, waxy, and elliptical in shape. It blooms in mid spring
producing large white and pink flowers.
(source: http://plants.usda.gov)
Distribution:
Rosebay is the most frequently occurring and dominant species of
the genus. It is found throughout the southern Appalachian region and
occasionally along the hill slopes of the upper piedmont crescent
of the southeastern U.S.
(source: http://plants.usda.gov)
(source: www.treeguide.com)
Biogeographic facts:
The Rosebay rhododendron is a critical functional component of the
understory layer.
It is questionable whether this species is in a state
of retreat or advancement.
Recent die outs can be attributed to the
phytophthora fungus, which spreads during
periods of low precipitation.
In contrast to these receding areas, some areas are seeing the intro-
duction of the rosebay where there historically were none. It is possible that
the Rosebay is expanding its range out of creek beds due to fire suppression.
References:
http://fwf.ag.utk.edu/dendro/species/rosebay.html