Image to followAI-generated illustrationRhododendron ponticum
Rhododendron ponticum
FamilyGenus: Rhododendronnon-native in Germany⚠️ Invasive species
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Invasive alien species
This species is classified as an invasive neophyte. It can affect native ecosystems and should not be introduced into the wild. Please check regional regulations before planting.
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4
Species
interact
🔗
4
Interactions
documented
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4
Host relationships
Species
About this species
Rhododendron ponticum is an introduced, evergreen shrub that is established in the wild in Great Britain, where it is regarded as invasive. It can grow to around 3.5 metres tall and has broad, leathery leaves. Flowering takes place over a long season from February to September.
Ecological network
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Larval host
Annual cycle
This evergreen shrub keeps its broad leaves throughout the year. Its flowering season typically extends from February to September.
Safety note
Safety information is not available from the current records.
Standort & Merkmale
Light
—
Moisture
—
Soil
—
Flowering period
Feb – Sep
Growth form
Strauch
Woodiness
Verholzt
Leaf type
Breitblättrig
Leaf phenology
Immergrün
Plant height
3.488 m
Morphological traits: TRY ID3 (CC BY 3.0) & TRY ID81 (CC BY)
Scientific profile
Rhododendron ponticum is an evergreen, woody shrub reaching roughly 3.5 metres in height. The leaves are broad and leathery, persisting throughout the year. The plant produces flowers over an extended period, normally from February to September. It is an introduced species that has become established in Great Britain and is classified as invasive.
Host relationships
4 species use this plant as a host
Sources & data origin
•Cook et al. (2025) UK Butterfly & Moth Traits (DOI: 10.5285/dbc7cc17-cbbd-49dd-bab4-8e8855768d66)
•Baden-Böhm F, App M, Thiele J (2022) — The FloRes Database: A floral resources trait database for pollinator habitat-assessment generated by a multistep workflow. Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Dryad, DOI: 10.5061/dryad.djh9w0w29 (CC0)
•GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — GBIF Secretariat (2024), DOI: 10.15468/39omei (CC BY 4.0)
•TRY Categorical Traits (ID3) — Kattge et al. (2012), DOI: 10.17871/TRY.3 (CC BY 3.0)
•TRY Global Spectrum (ID81) — Díaz et al. (2016/2021), DOI: 10.17871/TRY.81 (CC BY)
•Checklist Alien Plants Belgium — Verloove F (2023), Botanic Garden Meise (CC BY 4.0)
•DAISIE — Roy H et al. (2019), DOI: 10.15468/ybwd3x (CC BY 4.0)
•Govaerts R et al. (2025) — World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) v14. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. DOI: 10.34885/xs7h-ze42 (CC BY 4.0)
All data is licensed under CC BY 4.0, CC0, or compatible terms. Attribution according to license conditions. Full source overview →