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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Rhododendron oblongifolium (Texas azalea)
Dunatchik, David

Rhododendron oblongifolium

Rhododendron oblongifolium (Small) Millais

Texas Azalea

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: RHOB

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A spreading shrub to 6 ft. with distinctly obovate leaves and fragrant, trumpet-shaped, pure white flowers occuring 7-12 together after the leaves.

Related to R. viscosum. Some taxonomists argue that it is not a distinct species.

 

From the Image Gallery

11 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AR , LA , OK , TX
Native Distribution: E. TX & OK
Native Habitat: Sandy woods; sandy stream banks; sandy bog margins.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Well-drained, sandy soil.
Conditions Comments: Related to R. serrulatum and R. viscosum. Some taxonomists argue that it is not a distinct species.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Bumble Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Combine seeds loosely with sphagnum moss and sprinkle lightly over a 2:1 perlite/peat mixture. Optimum temperatures for germination are 45-50 degrees. Transplant seedlings to acid soil with a high content of organic matter. Cultivated evergreen azaleas
Seed Treatment: No pretreatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Bibliography

Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Webref 1 - Texas Native Shrubs (2002) Texas A&M University Agriculture Program and Leslie Finical, Dallas Arboretum

Additional resources

USDA: Find Rhododendron oblongifolium in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Rhododendron oblongifolium in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rhododendron oblongifolium

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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