Pollinator plant

Pontic Rhododendron

Rhododendron ponticum

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Common names

29 names · 19 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Azalea kurume[3]
  • Common Rhododendron[1][2]
  • Hiryu Azalea[3]
+2 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (18)
Dutch
  • Pontische rhododendron
  • Pontische Rododendron[1][2]
French
  • Rhododendron de la mer Noire[1][2]
  • Rhododendron des parcs[1][2]
  • Rhododendron pontique[1][2]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 彭土杜鹃[2]
  • 长序杜鹃[2]
Czech
  • pěnišník černomořský[2]
Danish
  • pontisk rhododendron[2]
Estonian
  • pontose rodo[2]
  • pontose rododendron[2]
Finnish
  • turkinalppiruusu[2]
German
  • Pontischer Rhododendron[1][2]
Irish
  • Róslabhras[2]
Lithuanian
  • Pontinis rododendras[2]
Polish
  • Różanecznik pontyjski[2]
Portuguese
Russian
  • Рододендрон понтийский[2]
Slovak
  • rododendron pontický[2]
Swedish
  • pontisk rododendron[2]
Turkish
  • Kumar[2]
  • Mor Çiçekli Ormangülü[2]
Ukrainian
  • Рододендрон понтійський[2]
Welsh
  • Rhododendron Cyffredin[2]
Sources & name notes (3)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Rhododendron ponticum — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Pontic Rhododendron — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Pontischer Rhododendron — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Common Rhododendron — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Rhododendron de la mer Noire — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Rhododendron des parcs — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Rhododendron pontique — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Pontische Rododendron — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Adelfeira — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
[2] Rhododendron ponticum — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Pontic Rhododendron — results[29].names[1]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Pontischer Rhododendron — results[29].names[11]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Common Rhododendron — results[29].names[2]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Rhododendron de la mer Noire — results[29].names[8]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Rhododendron des parcs — results[29].names[6]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Rhododendron pontique — results[29].names[7]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Pontische Rododendron — results[29].names[9]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Adelfeira — results[29].names[3]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • pontose rododendron — results[29].names[4]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • pontose rodo — results[29].names[5]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • pěnišník černomořský — results[29].names[10]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Różanecznik pontyjski — results[29].names[12]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • 彭土杜鹃 — results[29].names[13]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Pontinis rododendras — results[29].names[14]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Рододендрон понтийский — results[29].names[15]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • pontisk rododendron — results[29].names[16]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • pontisk rhododendron — results[29].names[17]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Róslabhras — results[29].names[18]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Рододендрон понтійський — results[29].names[19]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • 长序杜鹃 — results[29].names[20]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • turkinalppiruusu — results[29].names[21]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Rhododendron Cyffredin — results[29].names[22]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • rododendron pontický — results[29].names[23]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Mor Çiçekli Ormangülü — results[29].names[24]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Kumar — results[29].names[25]; taxon id 60364; Rhododendron ponticum.
[3] Rhododendron ponticum — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Azalea kurume — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Hiryu Azalea — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Rhododendron ponticum.
  • Kurume Azalea — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Rhododendron ponticum.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Rhododendron ponticum is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Ericaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.91–1.22 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.61–1.52 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Dense; Spreading

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Slow

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, pollinators, specialized bees.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Native range
SE. Bulgaria to Caucasus and Lebanon.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Low suitability
Nectar value Low
Pollen value Low
Plant profile

About this plant

Pontic Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) is a shrub. It flowers from May to June.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Rhododendron ponticum — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 1135986; ID 4SGLZ; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1135986; ID 4SGLZ; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Rhododendron ponticum — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Rhododendron ponticum — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 538933; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 857386, 857387, 857388, 857389, 857391, 857392, 857393, 857394

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.