Wild Azalea: Identifying Characteristics
Habitat:
Wild azalea is a sun to partial shade-tolerant species found in open fields, edges of woodlands, and along streams.
Size/Form:
Wild azalea is a shrub that reaches a height of 10' to 15'. This upright, many branched shrub is about as tall as it is wide. It slowly forms clumps by sending up suckers from underground runners.
Leaves:
Alternate, simple, deciduous leaves 1" to 4" in length. Leaves are dull green above with wooly hairs below. Elliptic, and pointed leaves are covered in white hairs and grow in whorls at the branch tips.
Flowers:
Tubular flowers with 3" white to rose colored blooms. Fragrant flowers open in early to mid-spring.
Fruit:
An oblong woody capsule 1/3" to 1/2"in length, splits when mature in late summer.