NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Rhododendron viscosum var. viscosum

Swamp Azalea, Clammy Azalea

Scientific Name:	Rhododendron viscosum var. viscosum
Genus:	Rhododendron
Species Epithet:	viscosum
Common Name:	Swamp Azalea, Clammy Azalea
Plant Type	Shrub
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Size:	3-6 ft., 6-12 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	White
Light:	Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Moist, Wet
Bloom Time:	June, July
Growing Area:	Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain
Habitat Description:	Moist streambanks, shrub balds, and other moist habitats. Common in the mountains and Piedmont, uncommon in the Coastal Plain.
Leaf Arrangement:	Alternate
Leaf Retention:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Simple
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Has some wildlife value
Landscape Value:	Recommended and Available
State Rank:	S4: Apparently secure, S5: Secure ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G5 - Secure ^(*Key)
Notes:	Members of the genus Rhododendron support the specialized bee, Andrena cornelli.
Swamp Azalea Found in bogs, pocosins, wet savannas, stream sides and other moist habitats, Swamp Azalea will also do well in gardens with some shade and average moisture. It blooms late for an azalea, after its leaves are out. Paynter, Wilmington
Flowers Scent is spicy and sweet. The common name, Clammy Azalea, comes from the stickiness of the flowers.
Close-up of flowers and buds covered with sticky brown-colored glands garden in Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Terminal bud and nice Fall color in early November. garden in Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Attractive Fall color Orange County NC, cultivated Bettina Darveaux
Rhododendron viscosum var. viscosum in the foreground with spectacular Fall color in early November. Orange County, NC, cultivated Bettia Darveaux
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record