Identifying the East Coast Native Azaleas

White Group
East Coast Native Azaleas   -   THE WHITE GROUP
In the "white group" of the native azaleas, there are four familiar east coast species: Rhododendron alabamense, R. arborescens, R. atlanticum, and R. viscosum, as well as the newly discovered species from South Carolina, R. eastmanii, and the west coast azalea, R. occidentale. Although the blossoms of these species are primarily white, some forms can occasionally be blush or pale pink.

There are some distinguishing characteristics that can help tell the white native azaleas apart. The first question deals with the time of bloom, and the other questions relate to flower and foliage characteristics. Use the chart below to help discriminate among these four white native azalea species.

1. Does the plant bloom in early spring before the leaves have expanded?
YES 2. Do the flowers have a yellow blotch on the upper corolla lobe and are they fragrant?
YES
3. Do the flowers open before the leaves have fully expanded and the bud scales have no sticky glandular hairs?

  • Yes - The species is probably R. alabamense
  • No. If there are glandular hairs on the leaf margins and petiole, the plant is probably R. occidentale.
    If the bud scale margins are glandular and the flowers bloom after the foliage is fully expanded, it might be the new R. eastmanii. Otherwise, the plant might be a hybrid.
NO
4. Are the flowers covered with very sticky gland-tipped hairs and have a strong musky-sweet odor?
  • Yes - The species is probably R. atlanticum
  • No. The plant might be a hybrid, or else a white form of another species in the pink group.
NO 5. Are the leaves and stems very smooth and have no hairs?
YES
6. Do the flowers have a bright red style as well as a strong cinnamon-like fragrance?
  • Yes - It is probably R. arborescens
  • No. If the the stamens and style are red but the the stems have hairs making them pubescent, it might be the new R. eastmanii. Otherwise, the plant might be a hybrid.
NO
7. Do the flowers have sticky gland-tipped hairs, greenish-white stamens and pistils, and a sweet musky fragrance?
  • Yes - The plant is probably R. viscosum
  • No. The plant might be a hybrid, or else a white form of another species in the pink group.

Copyright © 2001 Donald W. Hyatt
NATIVES
WHITE
PINK
ORANGE