NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Rhododendron carolinianum

Scientific Name:	Rhododendron carolinianum
Genus:	Rhododendron
Species Epithet:	carolinianum
Common Name:	Carolina Rhododendron, Punctatum
Plant Type	Shrub
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Invasive Status:	^(*Key)
Size:	3-6 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	White, Pink
Light:	Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Moist
Bloom Time:	April, May
Growing Area:	Mountains
Habitat Description:	Rocky summits, heath balds, high elevation forests, moist slopes. Uncommon to perhaps fairly common, at least locally in the NC mountains.
Leaf Arrangement:	Alternate
Leaf Retention:	Evergreen
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Simple
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Important for Wildlife
Landscape Value:	Highly Recommended and Available
State Rank:	S3: Vulnerable ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G4 - Apparently Secure ^(*Key)
Notes:	This species was recently split off from Rhododendron minus.
Blooms earlier than Piedmont Rhododendron (R. minus), and has smaller flowers than Rosebay Rhododendron (R. maximum). Polk Co., NC Lisa Lofland Gould
Flowers are mostly pink but can be light pink and even white. Larry Mellichamp
Has larger flowers, leaves, and is earlier blooming than Rhododendron minus. McDowell Co, NC Larry Mellichamp
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record