Rhododendron atlanticum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Rhododendron
Species:
R. atlanticum
Binomial name
Rhododendron atlanticum

Rhododendron atlanticum, the dwarf azalea[1] 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 very tough plant, responding to overgrazing or forest fires by generating new shoots.[2]

Description

Rhododendron atlanticum are compact, loosely branched, deciduous shrubs that typically grow to be two to three feet tall at maturity but can grow up to six feet, and are two to three feet wide.[3] It is a deciduous shrub 50–150 cm (20–59 in) 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 flush of yellow; they are produced in trusses of 4-10 together.

Distribution and Habitat

Rhododendron atlanticum is found in upland woods, on bluffs, stream banks and open sandy woods.[4] This species ranges from Delaware to Georgia in the mid-atlantic and southeastern United States.[5][6]

Taxonomy

Rhododendron atlanticum has nine synonyms listed below:[7]

  • Azalea atlantica Ashe
  • Azalea atlantica var. luteoalba Coker
  • Azalea neglecta Ashe
  • Rhododendron atlanticum f. confusum Fernald
  • Rhododendron atlanticum f. luteoalbum (Coker) Fernald
  • Rhododendron atlanticum var. luteoalbum (Coker) Rehder
  • Rhododendron atlanticum f. neglectum (Ashe) Rehder
  • Rhododendron atlanticum f. tomolobum Fernald
  • Rhododendron neglectum (Ashe) Ashe

Uses

Rhododendron atlanticum can be used in azalea breeding programs for it's fragrance. Rhododendron atlanticum is a non-toxic species sometimes available in the nursery trade. This species is often used in landscaping because it's fragrance attracts pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds as well as it being a showy flower.[8] This species has a medium tolerance to drought and fires, and requires cold stratification for germination. Rhododendron atlanticum produce pinkish-purple flowers in early spring.[9]

Hybridization

The two species that create a hybrid form as a response to herbivory from leaf beetles are Rhododendron periclymenodies and R. atlanticum.[10] , Candy Lights, is an ornamental hybrid that uses R. atlanticum as a parent plant.  [11]

References

  1. ↑ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Rhododendron atlanticum". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  2. ↑ "Rhododendron atlanticum". Trees and Shrubs Online. International Dendrology Society. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  3. ↑ "Rhododendron atlanticum - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  4. ↑ King, Bruce L. (2000). "Natural Hybridization between Rhododendron periclymenoides and R. atlanticum Relative to Herbivory by Pyrrhalta rufosanguinea". Castanea. 65 (3): 179–192. ISSN 0008-7475.
  5. ↑ Kanaganayakam, Chelva (2012-01-01), "A Native Clearing Revisited: Positioning Philippine Literature", Literature for Our Times, Brill, pp. 383–392, ISBN 978-94-012-0739-3, retrieved 2023-12-05
  6. ↑ "Rhododendron atlanticum (Ashe) Rehder | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  7. ↑ "Rhododendron atlanticum (Ashe) Rehder | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  8. ↑ "Rhododendron atlanticum (Coastal Azalea, Dwarf Azalea) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  9. ↑ "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  10. ↑ King, Bruce L. (2000). "Natural Hybridization between Rhododendron periclymenoides and R. atlanticum Relative to Herbivory by Pyrrhalta rufosanguinea". Castanea. 65 (3): 179–192. ISSN 0008-7475.
  11. ↑ Hokanson, Stan C.; McNamara, Steve; Zuzek, Kathy; Rose, Nancy; Pellett, Harold (2005-10-01). "Rhododendron 'Candy Lights' and 'Lilac Lights'". HortScience. 40 (6): 1925–1927. doi:10.21273/HORTSCI.40.6.1925. ISSN 0018-5345.
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