Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

flame azalea Ericaceae Rhododendron calendulaceum (Michx.) Torr. Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet play symbol: RHCA4
Leaf: Alternate, simple, pinnately veined, ovate to elliptical, deciduous, 1 to 3 inches long, dull green above, short hairs below.
Flower: Beautiful, bright orange to almost red, appearing with or just before leaves, appearing late spring to early summer.
Fruit: An oblong woody capsule, 1/3 to 1/2 inch long, splits when mature in late summer.
Twig: Slender, reddish brown, very hairy, single bundle scar, buds occur in clusters at ends of twigs; flower buds are much larger (1/2 long).
Bark: Gray-brown and thin, may become finely shreddy.
Form: Tall shrub that may reach 15 feet tall. Twigs often appear in whorls from central stem.
 Looks like: Florida azalea - swamp azalea - pink azalea

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Additional Range Information: Rhododendron calendulaceum is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information