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Rhododendron maximum

L.

Great Laurel

G5Secure Found in 109 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
UnknownThreat Impact
Great Laurel (Rhododendron maximum). Photo by Michael Kondratowicz, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Michael Kondratowicz, CC BY-NC 4.0
Great Laurel (Rhododendron maximum). Photo by Michael Kondratowicz, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Michael Kondratowicz, CC BY-NC 4.0
Great Laurel (Rhododendron maximum). Photo by Michael Kondratowicz, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Michael Kondratowicz, CC BY-NC 4.0
Great Laurel (Rhododendron maximum). Photo by Randy Bodkins, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Randy Bodkins, CC BY-NC 4.0
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.155621
Element CodePDERI150J0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderEricales
FamilyEricaceae
GenusRhododendron
Other Common Names
great laurel (EN) Great Rhododendron (EN) Rhododendron géant (FR)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-08-21
Change Date1983-11-20
Edition Date2025-08-21
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Rhododendron maximum is a woody shrub occurring on moist slopes, bogs, swamps, streambanks, woods, and bluffs of eastern North America, from Maine south to Georgia and Alabama in the United States, and historically in Nova Scotia, Canada. There are over 1,000 estimated occurrences of this taxon, which are threatened by development, alteration of hydrology, recreation, logging, overshading and succession, insect herbivory, fungal infections, invasive species, and likely other threats in some places. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, Rhododendron maximum is considered secure.
Range Extent Comments
Rhododendron maximum occurs in eastern North America, from Maine south to Georgia and Alabama in the United States (FNA 2009). It is considered extirpated from Halifax and Digby counties of Nova Scotia, Canada, by Zinck (1998). Range extent was estimated to be 1.1 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are over 1,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
Threats to Rhododendron maximum are not well documented but include development, alteration of hydrology, recreation, logging, overshading and succession, insect herbivory, fungal infections, invasive species, and likely other threats in some places (NatureServe 2025). There is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand the scope and severity of threats for this taxon.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Rhododendron maximum occurs on moist slopes, wet flats, bogs, swamps, streambanks, mesic woods, and north-facing bluffs in the Piedmont from 0-1900 m in elevation (FNA 2009, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandCliff
Palustrine Habitats
FORESTED WETLANDBog/fenRiparian
Other Nations (2)
CanadaNX
ProvinceRankNative
Nova ScotiaSXYes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
West VirginiaS5Yes
VermontS2Yes
New YorkS4Yes
North CarolinaS5Yes
PennsylvaniaS5Yes
New HampshireS2Yes
Rhode IslandSNRYes
MassachusettsS1Yes
OhioS3Yes
MaineS1Yes
ConnecticutS3Yes
South CarolinaS5Yes
TennesseeSNRYes
KentuckyS5Yes
VirginiaS5Yes
DelawareSNANo
AlabamaSNRYes
MarylandSNRYes
GeorgiaSNRYes
New JerseyS4Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentUnknownUnknownUnknown
5 - Biological resource useUnknownUnknownUnknown
5.3 - Logging & wood harvestingUnknownUnknownUnknown
6 - Human intrusions & disturbanceUnknownUnknownUnknown
6.1 - Recreational activitiesUnknownUnknownUnknown
7 - Natural system modificationsUnknownUnknownUnknown
7.1 - Fire & fire suppressionUnknownUnknownUnknown
7.1.2 - Suppression in fire frequency/intensityUnknownUnknownUnknown
7.2 - Dams & water management/useUnknownUnknownUnknown
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesUnknownUnknownUnknown
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseasesUnknownUnknownUnknown
8.1.1 - Unspecified speciesUnknownUnknownUnknown
8.2 - Problematic native species/diseasesUnknownUnknownUnknown
8.2.1 - Unspecified speciesUnknownUnknownUnknown

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Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (109)
Georgia (16)
AreaForestAcres
Boggs CreekChattahoochee National Forest2,073
Cedar MountainChattahoochee National Forest1,083
Ellicott Rock AdditionChattahoochee National Forest690
Helton CreekChattahoochee National Forest2,348
Indian Grave GapChattahoochee National Forest1,020
Joe GapChattahoochee National Forest5,321
Kelly RidgeChattahoochee National Forest8,325
Ken MountainChattahoochee National Forest527
Lance CreekChattahoochee National Forest9,025
Miller CreekChattahoochee National Forest701
Patterson GapChattahoochee National Forest1,186
Pink KnobChattahoochee National Forest12,127
Rocky MountainChattahoochee National Forest4,269
Sarah's CreekChattahoochee National Forest6,888
Tate BranchChattahoochee National Forest1,069
Tripp BranchChattahoochee National Forest615
Kentucky (1)
AreaForestAcres
WolfpenDaniel Boone National Forest2,835
North Carolina (28)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainPisgah National Forest11,085
Balsam ConePisgah National Forest10,591
BearwallowPisgah National Forest4,113
Big Indian (addition)Nantahala National Forest1,155
Boteler PeakNantahala National Forest4,205
Cheoah BaldNantahala National Forest7,795
Chunky Gal (addition)Nantahala National Forest3,336
Craggy MountainPisgah National Forest2,657
Dobson KnobPisgah National Forest6,111
Graveyard Ridge (addition)Pisgah National Forest1,958
Harper CreekPisgah National Forest7,325
Jarrett CreekPisgah National Forest7,485
Laurel MountainPisgah National Forest5,683
Linville Gorge AdditionPisgah National Forest2,809
Little Indian (addition)Nantahala National Forest640
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Mackey MountainPisgah National Forest5,934
Middle Prong AdditionPisgah National Forest1,852
Overflow CreekNantahala National Forest3,379
Sam Knob (addition)Pisgah National Forest2,576
Slide HollowPisgah National Forest193
SnowbirdNantahala National Forest8,489
South Mills RiverPisgah National Forest8,588
Tusquitee BaldNantahala National Forest13,670
Wesser BaldNantahala National Forest4,061
Wilson CreekPisgah National Forest4,863
Woods MountainPisgah National Forest9,602
Yellowhammer Branch (add.)Nantahala National Forest1,255
Pennsylvania (1)
AreaForestAcres
Clarion RiverAllegheny National Forest3,821
South Carolina (3)
AreaForestAcres
Big MountainSumter National Forest2,337
Ellicott Rock 1Sumter National Forest301
Ellicott Rock 2Sumter National Forest517
Tennessee (14)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainCherokee National Forest11,743
Bald River Gorge AdditionCherokee National Forest1,728
Beaver Dam CreekCherokee National Forest5,070
Big Laurel Branch AdditionCherokee National Forest5,577
Brushy RidgeCherokee National Forest7,469
Devil's BackboneCherokee National Forest4,287
Flint Mill GapCherokee National Forest9,494
London Bridge BranchCherokee National Forest3,387
Rogers RidgeCherokee National Forest4,738
Sampson Mountain AdditionCherokee National Forest3,064
Slide HollowCherokee National Forest4,057
Stone MountainCherokee National Forest5,367
Sycamore CreekCherokee National Forest6,984
Upper Bald RiverCherokee National Forest9,202
Virginia (26)
AreaForestAcres
Adams PeakGeorge Washington National Forest7,135
Bear CreekJefferson National Forest18,274
Beards MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,505
Beartown Addition AJefferson National Forest1,370
Beartown Addition BJefferson National Forest2,985
Beaver Dam CreekJefferson National Forest1,135
Brush MountainJefferson National Forest6,002
Garden MountainJefferson National Forest3,960
Hoop HoleJefferson National Forest4,652
Horse HeavenJefferson National Forest4,748
Hunting Camp Little Wolf CreekJefferson National Forest8,953
Kelley MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,590
Laurel ForkGeorge Washington National Forest9,967
Lewis Fork AdditionJefferson National Forest749
Little AlleghanyGeorge Washington National Forest10,215
Mill MountainGeorge Washington National Forest10,840
Mountain Lake Addition AJefferson National Forest1,469
New London Bridge BranchJefferson National Forest844
North Fork PoundJefferson National Forest4,757
Oak KnobGeorge Washington National Forest10,882
Oliver MountainGeorge Washington National Forest13,090
Peters Mountain Addition BJefferson National Forest2,909
Raccoon BranchJefferson National Forest4,388
Ramseys Draft AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest12,781
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
The PriestGeorge Washington National Forest5,737
West Virginia (20)
AreaForestAcres
Canaan LoopMonongahela National Forest7,867
Cheat MountainMonongahela National Forest8,191
Cranberry AdditionMonongahela National Forest11,123
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Dolly Sods Roaring PlainMonongahela National Forest13,392
Dry ForkMonongahela National Forest657
East Fork Of GreenbrierMonongahela National Forest7,167
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Gauley MountainMonongahela National Forest13,285
Glady ForkMonongahela National Forest3,239
Little MountainMonongahela National Forest8,172
Marlin MountainMonongahela National Forest9,344
Mcgowan MountainMonongahela National Forest10,504
Middle MountainMonongahela National Forest19,020
Mottesheard (WV)Jefferson National Forest3,964
North Mountain HopevilleMonongahela National Forest6,525
Seneca CreekMonongahela National Forest22,287
Spice RunMonongahela National Forest6,251
Tea Creek MountainMonongahela National Forest8,295
Turkey MountainMonongahela National Forest6,421
References (11)
  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2009. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 8. Magnoliophyta: Paeoniaceae to Ericaceae. Oxford University Press, New York. xxiv + 585 pp.
  2. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2025. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2025).
  3. iNaturalist. 2025. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2025).
  4. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  5. Little, E.L., Jr. 1979. Checklist of United States trees (native and naturalized). Agriculture Handbook No. 541. U.S. Forest Service, Washington, D.C. 375 pp.
  6. Native Plant Trust. 2025. Go Botany website. Online. Available: https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org (accessed 2025).
  7. NatureServe. 2025. NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia.
  8. <p>NatureServe's Rapid Analysis of Rarity and Endangerment Conservation Assessment Tool (RARECAT). 2025. Version: 2.1.1 (released April 04, 2025).</p>
  9. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2025. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2025).
  10. Weakley, A.S., and Southeastern Flora Team. 2025. Flora of the southeastern United States Web App. Edition of February 18, 2025. University of North Carolina Herbarium (NCU), North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Online. Available: https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu (accessed 2025).
  11. Zinck, M. 1998. Roland’s Flora of Nova Scotia. Nimbus Publishing and the Nova Scotia Museum. Halifax, Nova Scotia. 2 Vols, 1297 pp.