Rhododendron catawbiense facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rhododendron catawbiense |
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| Rhododendron catawbiense growing wild on Mount Mitchell, North Carolina | |
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Hymenanthes
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Ponticum
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Pontica
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R. catawbiense
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| Rhododendron catawbiense |
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The Catawba Rhododendron (scientific name: Rhododendron catawbiense) is a beautiful flowering plant. It is also known by many other names, like Catawba rosebay or purple rhododendron. This plant grows naturally in the eastern United States. You can find it mostly in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Its home stretches from Virginia all the way south to northern Alabama.
This plant is a thick, bushy shrub. It usually grows up to 3 meters (about 10 feet) tall. Sometimes, it can even reach 5 meters (about 16 feet)! Its leaves stay green all year round. They are about 6–12 centimeters (2.5–5 inches) long. The flowers are a lovely violet-purple color. They are about 3–4.5 centimeters (1–1.75 inches) wide. Often, they have small spots or streaks. After the flowers, the plant produces a dry capsule. This capsule is about 15–20 millimeters (0.6–0.8 inches) long. It holds many tiny seeds inside.
The plant gets its name from the Catawba River.
What is a Catawba Rhododendron?
The Catawba Rhododendron is a type of Rhododendron. This group of plants includes many popular shrubs and trees. They are known for their bright, showy flowers. The Catawba Rhododendron belongs to a specific subgroup called Subgenus Hymenanthes. It is further classified into Section Ponticum. There are about a dozen other species in this same group.
Growing and Using This Plant
The Catawba Rhododendron is a very popular ornamental plant. This means people grow it because it looks nice. It is loved in North America and parts of Europe. People especially enjoy its beautiful flowers that bloom in spring.
Outside of where it naturally grows, many special types have been created. These are called cultivars or hybrids. They are made by plant breeders to have certain features. Some popular ones include 'Purple Elegans' and 'Roseus Elegans'. These special varieties are often grown in gardens and parks.
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Natural range
