swamp azalea Ericaceae Rhododendron canescens

Leaf:Alternate, simple, pinnately veined, obovate to elliptical, deciduous, 1 to 3 inches long, dull green above, wooly hairs below.
Flower:White to pink with tube length much longer than petals, appearing with or just before leaves in spring.
Fruit:An oblong woody capsule, 1/3 to 1/2 inch long, splits when mature in late summer.
Twig:Slender, 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 scaly.
Form:Tall shrub that may reach 15 feet tall. Twigs often appear in whorls from central stem.

leaf flower fruit twig bark form map

Notes: