(L.) Torr.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.128779
Element CodePDERI15090
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderEricales
FamilyEricaceae
GenusRhododendron
Other Common NamesRhododendron du Canada (FR) rhodora (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, 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 Date2025-08-20
Change Date1984-08-29
Edition Date2025-08-20
Edition AuthorsWeldy, Troy W. (2005), rev. N. 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 ReasonsRhododendron canadense is a woody shrub occurring in mixed or conifer forests, rocky areas, lake margins, bogs, and swamps of eastern North America, from Ontario east to Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, south to New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the United States. There are over 1,000 estimated occurrences of this taxon, which are potentially threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, recreational activities, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, invasive species, succession, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats and trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, Rhododendron canadense is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsRhododendron canadense occurs in eastern North America, from Ontario east to Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, south to New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the United States (FNA 2009). Range extent was estimated to be just over 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 CommentsBy 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 more than 1,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsThreats to Rhododendron canadense are not well known, but likely include development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, recreational activities, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, invasive species, succession, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species.