
Flower profile
Pacific rhododendron
Rhododendron macrophyllum
Pacific rhododendron is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in May–July.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Oregon, Washington
Quick look
Rhododendron macrophyllum, also known as the Pacific rhododendron, California rose bay, California rhododendron, coast rhododendron or big leaf rhododendron, is a large-leaved species of Rhododendron native to the Pacific Coast of North America. It is the state flower of Washington.
- It belongs to the Ericaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a tree with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 3 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to Oregon and Washington. NatureServe
- In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. iNaturalist
- In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as spring. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 15 ft. USDA PLANTS
- iNaturalist has 3,013 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #51 among the 110 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 1,209 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #102 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist
Pacific rhododendron gift ideas
Handmade pacific rhododendron gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
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Pacific rhododendron art print
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Pacific rhododendron greeting card
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Pacific rhododendron mug
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Pacific rhododendron earrings
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Pacific rhododendron embroidery pattern
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Pacific rhododendron sticker
When does it bloom?
Bloom time in each of our 2 states
| State | Type | Peak bloom | Sightings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | Native | May–July | 3,013 |
| Washington | Native | May–July | 1,209 |
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Oregon
- Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: S5, secure in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
- Washington
- No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
- Rare elsewhere
- No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
USDA PLANTS rates its toxicity as “moderate.” (USDA's rating covers people and livestock and doesn't say which parts.) NC State Extension has no page for it. USDA PLANTS
ASPCA's entry “Azalea” (Rhododendron spp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Vomiting (not in horses), diarrhea, weakness, cardiac… ASPCA
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records Pacific rhododendron in 3 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
California, Oregon, Washington.
Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Coos, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, Yamhill.
Washington counties with USDA records: Clallam, Clark, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Skagit, Skamania.
More Oregon flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile RHMA3.
- iNaturalist, Rhododendron macrophyllum: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Rhododendron macrophyllum (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- RCW 1.20.030: Washington state flower.
- Oregon: Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070).
- Oregon: Oregon noxious weed quarantine, A and B weeds (OAR 603-052-1200).
- Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Rhododendron macrophyllum (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: USDA PLANTS; ASPCA.
- Photo: Miguel Vieira via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.


