NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Rhododendron catawbiense
Catawba Rhododendron, Mountain Rosebay, Catawba Rosebay, Purple Rhododendron, Purple Laurel, Rosebay Laurel, Pink Laurel
Scientific Name: |
Rhododendron catawbiense |
|---|---|
Genus: |
Rhododendron |
Species Epithet: |
catawbiense |
Common Name: |
Catawba Rhododendron, Mountain Rosebay, Catawba Rosebay, Purple Rhododendron, Purple Laurel, Rosebay Laurel, Pink Laurel |
Plant Type |
Shrub |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Ericaceae (Heath Family) |
Native/Alien: |
NC Native |
Invasive Status: |
(*Key) |
Size: |
3-6 ft., 6-12 ft., 12-36 ft. |
Bloom Color(s): |
Pink, Purple |
Light: |
Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Moist |
Bloom Time: |
April, May, June |
Growing Area: |
Mountains, Piedmont |
Habitat Description: |
Rocky summits, shrub balds, acid ridges and slopes (mostly at high elevations), north-facing bluffs in the Piedmont, and sometimes in mesic situations in the Mountains. Common over most of the NC mountains, but very rare or absent in the extreme southwestern counties. Rare to locally uncommon in the foothills, and also rare and local in the Fall Line counties, where limited to steep north-facing slopes and bluffs. |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Alternate |
Leaf Retention: |
Evergreen |
Leaf Type: |
Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like |
Leaf Form: |
Simple |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
Important for Wildlife |
Landscape Value: |
Suitable for home landscapes |
State Rank: |
S5: Secure (*Key) |
Global Rank: |
G5 - Secure (*Key) |
State Status: |
W6: Watch List: Regionally Rare (*Key) |
Notes: |
Limited to cooler climates |
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Leaves shorter than those of Rhododendron maximum, and somewhat whitish beneath. Avery County NC
Lisa Lofland Gould |
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Links: |
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