Rhododendron (Catawba Rhododendron)

Description:

Rhododendron catawbiense (Catawba Rhododendron) is a species of Rhododendron native to the eastern United States, growing mainly in the Appalachian Mountains from Virginia south to northern Alabama. It is a dense, suckering shrub growing to 3 m tall, rarely 5 m. The leaves are evergreen, 6–12 cm long and 2–4 cm broad. The flowers are 3-4.5 cm diameter, violet-purple, often with small spots or streaks. The fruit is a dry capsule 15–20 mm long, containing numerous small seeds. The species is named after the Catawba tribe of Native Americans.

Habitat:

Central and southern Appalachian montane oak forest Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest