Rhododendron prunifolium (Small) Millais

Plum Leaf Azalea; Red Azalea

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Plum Leaf Azalea is a native deciduous shrub in the Heath family (Ericaceae). It only occurs in a few counties of east Alabama and west Georgia along the Chattahoochee River. Plum Leaf Azalea grows in rich hardwood forest on slopes near small streams. It is a single or multi-trunked shrub reaching heights of 15 feet. The bark is smooth and grey to reddish brown in color. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, ovate to obovate in outline, with entire margins. The leaf petioles are usually pubescent, but the leaf blades are glabrous. Flowers are produced in 4-7 flowered inflorescences at the ends of branches. The flower bud scales are glabrous with ciliate margins. The buds before opening are “candy striped” in appearance. Flowers are funnelform with 5 spreading lobes. The flowers are bright orange to deep red in color and nonfragrant. The five stamens are much exserted. The fruit is a hairy capsule with many small seed. Leaves turn yellow before falling in the autumn. Plum Leaf Azalea is listed as an S2S3 species in Alabama (S2 - Typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state; S3 - Typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in the state), and Globally as a G3 species (imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors). Plum Leaf Azalea is available from many nurseries. It prefers a slightly shady area with moist, organic rich soil. Plants should be mulched to prevent the roots from drying out too severely.--A. Diamond

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Native S2S3 (State Rank) G3 (Global Rank)

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