Rhododendron columbianum Harmaja
trapper's tea
Ericaceae (Crowberry family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Jim Riley     (Photo ID #752)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Rhododendron columbianum
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Introduction

In 2015, the BC Conservation Data Centre changed the name of this taxon from Rhododendron neoglandulosum to Rhododendron columbianum.

Species Information

General:
Erect shrub; stems 0.5-1 m tall, finely hairy and minutely glandular.
Leaves:
Alternate, evergreen, elliptic to oblong, to 5 cm long, often drooping, margins somewhat rolled under, deep green and wrinkled-looking on upper surfaces, lighter green, whitish fine-hairy and densely glandular below; stalks about 1 cm long.
Fruits:
Capsules, globe- to egg-shaped, 3-5 (6) mm long, finely hairy and glandular.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Rhododendron columbianum

The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)

Site Information
Value / Class

Avg

Min

Max

Elevation (metres)
1577 620 2150
Slope Gradient (%)
11 0 85

Aspect (degrees)
[0 - N; 90 - E; 180 - S; 270 - W]

344 1 360
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric]
4 1 8
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
B
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
533
Modal BEC Zone Class
MS

All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in

AT(1), BWBS(3), ESSF(217), ICH(22), IDF(13), MS(246), SBS(9), SWB(4)

Habitat and Range

Moist to wet meadows and forests in the montane to subalpine zones; frequent S of 52degreeN in BC east of the Coast-Cascade Mountains; E to SW AB, S to CA and N WY.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia