Rhododendron menziesii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rhododendron menziesii(Menziesia ferruginea) |
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| Rhododendron menziesii | |
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R. menziesii
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| Rhododendron menziesii Craven
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Menziesia ferruginea Sm. |
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Rhododendron menziesii, also known as Menziesia ferruginea, is a type of flowering plant. It's part of the heath family, which includes plants like blueberries. This plant has many common names, such as rusty menziesia, ock azalea, false huckleberry, fool's huckleberry, and mock azalea.
Where it Grows
This shrub naturally grows in northwestern North America. You can find it from Alaska through the Pacific Northwest region. It also grows in northwestern California and the state of Wyoming.
It is often found in mountain forests. It likes to grow in the understory, which is the layer of plants below the main tree canopy. You might see it under trees like Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), Pacific silver fir (A. amabilis), Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), western redcedar (Thuja plicata), and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla).
This plant prefers places that are cold, wet, and have lots of other plants. It grows well in deep shade.
What it Looks Like
Rhododendron menziesii is a shrub that usually grows upright or spreads out. It can often be taller than 3 meters (about 10 feet). At higher elevations, it might be shorter.
Its branches have thin, scaly bark that peels off. The smaller twigs are covered with tiny, sticky hairs.
The leaves grow one after another along the stem. They fall off in the autumn, so they are called deciduous leaves. They are oval-shaped with pointed tips and are about 4 to 6 centimeters (1.5 to 2.5 inches) long. The leaves are hairy, sticky, and have a strong, unpleasant smell like a skunk when you crush them.
The flowers grow in a loose group called an inflorescence. They hang down and are shaped like bells or cups. Their colors can be pink, orange, or yellow-green. Each flower has 4 to 5 petals that are mostly joined together to form a tube. Inside, there are eight stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen. This plant usually blooms in June and July.
After the flowers, a fruit grows. It is a small capsule, less than a centimeter long, that opens up to release many tiny seeds.
