Rhododendron atlanticum

Taxobox
name = "Rhododendron atlanticum"


image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Rhododendron atlanticum" at Stuckey, South Carolina
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Ericales
familia = Ericaceae
genus = "Rhododendron"
subgenus = "Pentanthera"
sectio = "Pentanthera"
species = "R. atlanticum"
binomial = "Rhododendron atlanticum"
binomial_authority = Rehder

"Rhododendron atlanticum" (Greek Ροδόδενδρο) (Dwarf azalea or Coastal azalea), is a species of "Rhododendron" native to coastal areas of the eastern United States, from New Jersey south to Georgia.

It is a deciduous shrub 50-150 cm tall, forming a thick understory in forests, spreading by underground stolons. The leaves are 3-5 cm long and 1-2 cm broad, bluish green, and hairless or with scattered glandular hairs. The fragrant flowers are 3-4 cm long, usually white to pink, sometimes with a bit of yellow; they are produced in trusses of 4-10 together.

Cultivation and uses

It is not widely cultivated in North America, but has been introduced and is popular in England. In the U.S. it is regarded as a good plant for heavy soils, but will spread itself too freely if planted in sandy soils.

References

* [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?484 Germplasm Resources Information Network: "Rhododendron atlanticum"]