Form: This is an evergreen shrub species that often forms dense thickets.

Leaves:
             

Arrangement: alternate

Shape: elliptical

Margin: entire

Texture: dark green above, glaucous below with rust colored hairs

 

Bark: It's relatively smooth and thin bark has a gray to red-brown color.

Twigs and buds:

Flowers and fruit: It develops pink and white flowers with 5 petals. The seeds are enclosed in a brown husk.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Range: It occurs in Maine along the Appalachians south into Georgia.

Silvics: It is very tolerant of shade and prefers coves, moist mountain slopes and stream banks.

Ecological and cultural importance: Rhododendron wilts during periods of drought and is thought to be expanding it's range out of creek beds due to fire suppression.