Rhododendron Catawbiense America. Twigs multicellular eglandular hairy hairs branched basally crisp matted glabrate in age leaves persistent. Outside of its native range many cultivars and hybrids have been created such as purple elegans roseus elegans and grandiflorum.
Several scenic wild populations including locations in north carolina tennessee and virginia are described. From maryland to kentucky south to alabama and georgia with concentrations in alpine woodlands rocky slopes and ridges. Petiole multicellular hairy hairs branched often glabrescent.
Bark smooth to vertically furrowed shredding.
Rhododendron catawbiense commonly called catawba rhododendron or mountain rosebay is a large rounded to spreading multi stemmed broadleaf evergreen shrub that typically grows to 6 10 rarely to 20 tall. It is an ideal choice for gardens that lack trees to provide dappled shade required by so many rhododendrons or for exposed roadside locations. Bark smooth to vertically furrowed shredding. Blade elliptic to obovate or slightly ovate 5 6 12 17 2 5 3 5 6 7 7 cm length.