Piedmont azalea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oconee azalea |
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R. flammeum
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| Rhododendron flammeum (Michx.) Sarg.
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Azalea calendulacea var. flammea Michx. |
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The Oconee azalea or piedmont azalea (scientific name: Rhododendron flammeum) is a beautiful flowering plant. It is native to the southeastern United States. You can find it growing naturally in the states of Georgia and South Carolina. This plant gets its common name, Oconee azalea, from Oconee County in South Carolina.
Discover the Oconee Azalea
The Oconee azalea is a type of deciduous shrub. This means its leaves fall off every year, usually in the autumn or winter. It can grow quite tall, reaching up to 2.5 meters (about 8 feet).
What the Oconee Azalea Looks Like
The leaves of the Oconee azalea are thin and shaped like an egg, which is called "ovate." They can grow up to 9 centimeters (about 3.5 inches) long. These leaves do not have any jagged edges or "teeth" along their sides.
The flowers of the Oconee azalea are very striking. They grow in groups, sometimes with up to 12 flowers in one cluster. These flowers usually open in the spring, even before the new leaves have fully grown. Each flower is shaped like a funnel and can be up to 50 millimeters (about 2 inches) long. Their colors range from bright red to orange. Often, they have a darker spot or "splotch" on their upper petal, which makes them even more unique!
Where the Oconee Azalea Grows
You can find the Oconee azalea in specific types of places. It likes to grow in dry woods. It also thrives on stream bluffs, which are steep banks next to rivers or streams. These plants are typically found at elevations lower than 500 meters (about 1,640 feet) above sea level.
