Rhododendron calendulaceum

Rhododendron calendulaceum, the flame azalea,[1] is a species of Rhododendron native to North America. All parts of this plant are poisonous to humans.[2]

Rhododendron calendulaceum
Rhododendron calendulaceum at Craggy Gardens, North Carolina
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Ericales
Family:
Ericaceae
Genus:
Rhododendron
Subgenus:
Pentanthera
Section:
Pentanthera
Species:
R. calendulaceum
Binomial name
Rhododendron calendulaceum
(Michx.) Torr.

Description

It is a deciduous shrub, 120–450 cm tall. The leaves are simple, 3–7 cm long, slightly dull green above and villous below. The arrangement is generally alternate, however they appear whorled towards the tips of the branches.

The flowers are 4–5 cm long, usually bright orange, but can vary from pastel orange to dark reddish-orange. These non-fragrant flowers have 4-5 lobes and grow in clusters of 5-10. It typically blooms in late May and early June.[3][4]

Distribution

This species of Rhododendron is native to the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States, ranging from southern Pennsylvania and Ohio to northern Georgia. It has been reported historically in New York and Maryland, however its current native status in these states is undetermined.[5] However, it can occur as an introduced species in anthropogenic habitats. It occurs naturally in mixed deciduous forests.

Horticulture

The flame azalea is a popular cultivated plant, primarily due to its showy flowers. Many cultivars and domestic varieties exist, including:

  • Chattooga
  • Cherokee
  • Golden Sunset Flame
  • Golden Yellow Flame
  • Smokey Mountaineer
  • Wahsega[4]

It is also an important parent species in hybrid Azaleas, such as:

  • Ghent
  • Knap Hill
  • Maid in the Shade
  • Mollis
  • Northern Lights[6]
  • 'Mandarin Red' Flowers (cultivar)
  • Rhododendron calendulaceum
    by Ellis Rowan, 1901

See also

References
  1. "Rhododendron calendulaceum". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  2. "Rhododendron calendulaceum (flame azalea): Go Botany". gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  3. "Rhododendron calendulaceum (Flame Azalea) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  4. Brand, Mark H. "Plant Database". www.hort.uconn.edu. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  5. Carey, Jennifer H. (1994). "Rhododendron calendulaceum". www.fs.fed.us. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  6. "Deciduous Azaleas". www.rhodyman.net. Retrieved 2020-06-10.


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