Rhododendron calendulaceum (Michx.) Torr. - Flame Azalea
Family - Ericaceae
Stems:
N/A
Leaves:
N/A
Inflorescence:
Flowers:
Flowering - April - July.
Habitat - Mixed deciduous forests.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This attractive species can only be found in a handful of Alabama counties. The plant is a woody shrub to small tree that can reach 4m in height and have single to multiple stems. The orange-red-yellow flowers of this species make it easy to identify. The leaves are often canescent.
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 calendulaceum means "colored as Calendula." Calendula is the genus of the common Marigold of cultivation.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken off India Rd., Auburn, AL., 4-29-05.