California Rhododendron (Pacific Rhododendron, California Rosebay)
November 30, 1805, near Astoria, Oregon.
Evergreen shrub with large, deep green, leathery leaves and rounded clusters of large, pink, tubular flowers about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long. Height: 4-10 ft (1.2-3 m); less common to 20 ft (6 m), nearly treelike.
Acidic soils in open or shady forest.
Southwest British Columbia south along coast and in Cascades to central California.
This is the showiest flowering shrub in the forests of western North America. The plant is most abundant in Oregon, where mass displays provide a spectacular show in late spring and early summer.