Rhododendron austrinum (Small) Rheder - Florida Flame Azalea
Family - Ericaceae
Stems:
N/A
Leaves:
N/A
Inflorescence:
Flowers:
Corolla tube.
Flowering - March - May.
Habitat - Hammocks, low woods, floodplain forests.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This very attractive species can be found in just a handful of southern Alabama counties. The plant can be identified by its bright orange-yellow flowers. The tube of the corolla is typically glandular pubescent. This is a fairly uncommon species over its range and is considered endangered in Florida.
The genus name Rhododendron derives from the Greek "rhod(o)" meaning "a rose" and "dendr(o)" meaning "a tree" referring to the beautiful flowers of nearly all these shrubby species.
The species epithet austrinum derives from the Latin "austr(ali)" meaning "southern" referring to the plants range in North America.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken off India Rd, Opelika, AL., 4-16-05.