Gen. Syst. 3: 843 (1834).
Verified by:
Shrub, 2-4m; young shoots soon ± glabrous. Leaves broadly elliptic, (6.5-)8.5-12(-17) x 3-5.2(-7.5)cm, 2.5-2.8 x as long as broad, apex acute to minutely apiculate, base cuneate, upper and lower surfaces glabrous when mature; petioles l-2(-3)cm, glabrous. Inflorescence 10-20-flowered; rhachis 15-30mm; pedicels glabrous, 30-60mm in flower, hardly elongating in fruit. Calyx c.lmm, glabrous. Corolla broadly campanulate, white to pink with yellowish flecks, 30-40mm. Ovary densely rufous-pilose; style glabrous. Capsule c.25 x 7mm.
Western Seaboard of USA from the Canadian border to California. Forest margins, etc.
R. californicum Hooker f., Bot. Mag. 81: t.4863 (1855). Type: W N America, mountains of California, Lobb (iso. BM, K).
Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):317