Rhododendron prinophyllum (Small) Millais. Election Pink, Early Azalea, Roseshell Azalea. Phen: May-Jun; Aug-Oct. Hab: Upland forests (especially under Quercus montana and Quercus rubra), xeric pine and oak woodlands. Dist: NH, NY, and ne. OH, south to w. NC, nc. KY, and s. OH; disjunct in ne. AL and c. TN; also disjunct from s. IL and s. MO south to AR and e. OK. The only known location in NC is on Bluff Mountain, Ashe County (on a rocky plateau over amphibolite at about 1300m elevation); Kron (1993) also cites a collection from Transylvania County, but this is based on a labeling error.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: See Shinners (1962i) for explanation of the change from the name R. roseum, later debated back and forth by others.

Synonymy: = Ar, C, FNA8, Il, K1, K3, K4, NE, NY, Pa, Va, W, Kron (1993), Luteyn et al (1996); = Azalea prinophylla Small – S; = n/a – Tat; = Rhododendron roseum (Loisel.) Rehder – F, G, RAB, WV, Wilson & Rehder (1921)

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
• Great Plains: FAC
• Midwest: FAC
• Northcentral & Northeast: FAC

Heliophily: 5