May-white Azalea
A deciduous azalea endemic to the state bears white, clove-scented flowers after its leaves expand in late spring.
Artwork inspired by Jonathan Green
The blossoms usually show a yellow blotch and long projecting stamens, opening later than many native azaleas. Plants occupy moist wooded slopes, ravines, and stream terraces in the central part of South Carolina.
Garden specimens offer the safest close view because wild populations are limited and vulnerable. Identification should combine bloom timing, leaf emergence, scent, and locality rather than white petals alone.
- Only state
- Rhododendron eastmanii is endemic to South Carolina and was described from the state.
- Late white bloom
- yellow throat blotch
- Moist ravine
- moist central-South-Carolina ravine
Quick guide
- Recognition
- Fragrant white funnel-shaped flowers with a yellow blotch and long stamens.
- Timing
- Blooms after leaves are expanded, usually later than common early-spring azaleas.
Recognize it through habitat and behavior
- Recognition
- Fragrant white funnel-shaped flowers with a yellow blotch and long stamens.
- Timing
- Blooms after leaves are expanded, usually later than common early-spring azaleas.
- Habitat
- Moist hardwood slopes, ravines, and stream terraces in central South Carolina.
- Observe responsibly
- Seek propagated garden plants; never collect or disclose small wild populations.
Good to know
Flowers mainly in May, sometimes extending into early June. Seek propagated garden plants; never collect or disclose small wild populations.
Notice these
- yellow throat blotch
- post-leaf white bloom
- moist central-South-Carolina ravine