Rhododendron Mountain. Long 5 cm with protruding pistil and stamens that extend elegantly beyond the petals. The catawba rhododendron bushes are a natural feature at the top of roan mountain.
June is an important time of year in the smokies. Mountain laurel is more adaptable than rhododendron. Long 5 cm with protruding pistil and stamens that extend elegantly beyond the petals.
Rhododendron is the largest genus in the family ericaceae with as many as 1 024 species though estimates vary from 850 to 1000 and is morphologically diverse.
From maryland to kentucky south to alabama and georgia with concentrations in alpine woodlands. June is an important time of year in the smokies. The most common native azalea in the southeast rhododendron canescens mountain azalea is a large deciduous shrub boasting fragrant funnel shaped pink rarely white flowers up to 2 in. Mountain laurel is fairly drought resistant.