Flower profile

Rhodora

Rhododendron canadense

Native in the lower 48

Rhodora 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–June.

9states

2of our state lists

3,989U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Maine, New Hampshire

Quick look

Rhododendron canadense, the rhodora or Canada rosebay, is a deciduous flowering shrub that is native to northeastern North America.
From Wikipedia's article Rhododendron canadense, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Ericaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 9 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as native to Maine and New Hampshire. ^NatureServe
In Maine, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. ^iNaturalist
In New Hampshire, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as mid spring. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 18 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 1,881 research-grade sightings of it in Maine, ranking #28 among the 110 flowers on our Maine list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 1,209 research-grade sightings of it in New Hampshire, ranking #39 among the 109 flowers on our New Hampshire list. ^iNaturalist

Rhodora gift ideas

Handmade rhodora 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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Rhodora art print
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Rhodora greeting card
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Rhodora mug
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Rhodora earrings
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Rhodora embroidery pattern
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Rhodora sticker
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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (985 records)

Bloom time in each of our 2 states

State	Type	Peak bloom	Sightings*
Maine	Native	May–June	1,881
New Hampshire	Native	May–June	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
Maine: Not listed Not on Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Maine. ^{Maine rare plant list}
New Hampshire: Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Hampshire. ^{NH Ncr 312}
Rare elsewhere: Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: NJ (S1), NY (S2), RI (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleToxic (slight, per USDA)

USDA PLANTS rates its toxicity as “slight.” (USDA's rating covers people and livestock and doesn't say which parts.) NC State Extension has no page for it. ^{USDA PLANTS}

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Azalea” (Rhododendron spp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, hypotension, CNS depression, cardiovascular collapse and death. Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems. Rhododendron is typically… ^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 rhodora in 9 states.

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recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont.

Maine counties with USDA records: Androscoggin, Aroostook, Cumberland, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo, Washington, York.

New Hampshire counties with USDA records: Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, Sullivan.

More Maine flowers

Ghost pipe

Monotropa uniflora

Native

🌼 Blooms in ME: July–September

Mountain laurel

Kalmia latifolia

★ CT state flowerNative

🌼 Blooms: April–June

Eastern teaberry (wintergreen)

Gaultheria procumbens

Native

🌼 Blooms in ME: July–August

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile RHCA6.
iNaturalist, Rhododendron canadense: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Rhododendron canadense (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Maine: Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories.
Maine: Maine Do Not Sell invasive plant list (01-001 C.M.R. ch. 273).
New Hampshire: New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020).
New Hampshire: NH Prohibited Invasive Species List (Agr 3800, Table 3800.1).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Rhododendron canadense (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: USDA PLANTS; ASPCA.
Photo: Erik via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.