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Plant Profile

Plumleaf Azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium)

Flowers can be recognized by bright orange petals that grow up to 2.5 cm long, with very long stamen that project well beyond them. Photo Credit: Tom Ward
  • Global Rank: G3 - Vulnerable
  • Legal Status: N/A
  • Family: Ericaceae
  • State: AL, GA
  • Nature Serve ID: 156622
  • Lifeform: Shrub
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 01/01/1985
Description:

Rhododendron prunifolium is one of the showiest native azaleas and can grow up to 18 ft in height (Wilson and Rheder 1921, Cox 1990, Dirr 1998). The clustered, brightly crimson-colored flowers bloom from mid-July to mid-August, and occasionally in September (Foote and Jones 1994) . The flowers' stamens are very long and project beyond the flower. It is the most glabrous species of all American rhododendrons. Its leaves are alternately arranged on the stem in tight clusters, dark green above, light beneath, smooth (except for the small hairs on the margins). It was first collected by R. M. Harper in the early 1900's and first grown at the Arnold Arboretum in 1918.

Where is Plumleaf Azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium) located in the wild?

Habitat:

R. prunifolium can be found growing in low, moist sites in forested (beech-maple-magnolia) ravines along streams. In Canyon Park, Georgia, it is common at forest edges near streams at the bottoms of 150-foot canyons that emerged as a result of farming practices during the mid-19th century (Cox 1990, Dirr 1998, Foote and Jones 1994).

Distribution:

R. prunifolium was historically found in western and southwestern Georgia, eastern and southeastern Alabama (Georgia-Alabama border) (Godfrey 1988).

States & Provinces:

Plumleaf Azalea can be found in Alabama, Georgia

Which CPC Partners conserve Plumleaf Azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium)?

  • The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

    Sponsored
    Sponsors Add
    Donor Acknowledgment - In the Works
    Conservation Actions
    Assigned 06/09/17

  • Polly Hill Arboretum

    Not Sponsored
    Assigned 03/29/19
    • CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

    Conservation Actions

    • 10/08/2020
      • Seed Collection

    This species has been successfully propagated from seed: Sow into milled Sphagnum, maintain humidity under cover, water carefully. Seedlings are tiny and growing slowly. Put them a few per pot first, to reduce the risk of overwatering; repot once they achieve sufficient size. And from softwood cuttings: Take cuttings in May-June, keep them under fog or mist in 50/50 sand-perlite. With 2,500-5,000 ppm K-IBA or H # 3 treatment, the rooting rate is 70-80%. Cuttings become more secure once they survive through the first winter. R. prunifolium was successfully cultivated near Philadelphia, PA (on a southern slope at Gladwyne) and at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA.

    • 10/08/2020
      • Reintroduction

    This species has been successfully propagated from seed: Sow into milled Sphagnum, maintain humidity under cover, water carefully. Seedlings are tiny and growing slowly. Put them a few per pot first, to reduce the risk of overwatering; repot once they achieve sufficient size. And from softwood cuttings: Take cuttings in May-June, keep them under fog or mist in 50/50 sand-perlite. With 2,500-5,000 ppm K-IBA or H # 3 treatment, the rooting rate is 70-80%. Cuttings become more secure once they survive through the first winter. R. prunifolium was successfully cultivated near Philadelphia, PA (on a southern slope at Gladwyne) and at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA.

    • 10/08/2020
      • Tissue Culture

    This species has been successfully propagated from seed: Sow into milled Sphagnum, maintain humidity under cover, water carefully. Seedlings are tiny and growing slowly. Put them a few per pot first, to reduce the risk of overwatering; repot once they achieve sufficient size. And from softwood cuttings: Take cuttings in May-June, keep them under fog or mist in 50/50 sand-perlite. With 2,500-5,000 ppm K-IBA or H # 3 treatment, the rooting rate is 70-80%. Cuttings become more secure once they survive through the first winter. R. prunifolium was successfully cultivated near Philadelphia, PA (on a southern slope at Gladwyne) and at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA.

    • 10/08/2020
      • Propagation Research

    This species has been successfully propagated from seed: Sow into milled Sphagnum, maintain humidity under cover, water carefully. Seedlings are tiny and growing slowly. Put them a few per pot first, to reduce the risk of overwatering; repot once they achieve sufficient size. And from softwood cuttings: Take cuttings in May-June, keep them under fog or mist in 50/50 sand-perlite. With 2,500-5,000 ppm K-IBA or H # 3 treatment, the rooting rate is 70-80%. Cuttings become more secure once they survive through the first winter. R. prunifolium was successfully cultivated near Philadelphia, PA (on a southern slope at Gladwyne) and at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA.

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    Perhaps 50-60 sites known, most populations small, habitat threatened by careless logging.

    Irina Kadis
    • 01/01/2010

    R. prunifolium is in danger of extinction, as few new seedlings are found in the natural habitats. Natural habitats vanish due to plant succession. Due to erosion after logging, many of the sites suitable for R. prunifolium have vanished. Disturbance b

    Irina Kadis
    • 01/01/2010

    The Georgia Natural Heritage program discovered 41 populations known from southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia recorded from seven counties in Georgia (USFWS 1989)

    Irina Kadis
    • 01/01/2010

    This species has been successfully propagated from seed: Sow into milled Sphagnum, maintain humidity under cover, water carefully. Seedlings are tiny and growing slowly. Put them a few per pot first, to reduce the risk of overwatering; repot once they achieve sufficient size. And from softwood cuttings: Take cuttings in May-June, keep them under fog or mist in 50/50 sand-perlite. With 2,500-5,000 ppm K-IBA or H # 3 treatment, the rooting rate is 70-80%. Cuttings become more secure once they survive through the first winter. R. prunifolium was successfully cultivated near Philadelphia, PA (on a southern slope at Gladwyne) and at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA.

    Irina Kadis
    • 01/01/2010

    There is no formal management plan.

    Irina Kadis
    • 01/01/2010

    Management needs include habitat protection, population monitoring and establishment of new populations. Research of this species general biology and reproductive ecology would aid in conservation efforts.

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Rhododendron prunifolium
    Authority (Small) Millais
    Family Ericaceae
    CPC Number 3738
    ITIS 23728
    USDA RHPR2
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names plumleaf azalea
    Associated Scientific Names Rhododendron prunifolium | Azalea prunifolia
    Distribution R. prunifolium was historically found in western and southwestern Georgia, eastern and southeastern Alabama (Georgia-Alabama border) (Godfrey 1988).
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Alabama S2S3
    Georgia S3
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    Flowers can be recognized by bright orange petals that grow up to 2.5 cm long, with very long stamen that project well beyond them. Photo Credit: Tom Ward

    Brilliant red/orange flowers appear in late summer on the ends of leafy branches. Photo Credit: Tom Ward

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