Rhododendron vaseyi is a species of flowering plant in the heath family known by the common name pinkshell azalea.[4] It is endemic to the Appalachian highlands of North Carolina in widely scattered locations. While there is a main center of distribution west of Asheville, there is also a large population on Grandfather Mountain, in the northwestern corner of the state.[2]
| Rhododendron vaseyi | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Rhododendron |
| Species: | R. vaseyi
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| Binomial name | |
| Rhododendron vaseyi | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
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This deciduous shrub may grow up to 5 metres (16 ft) in height. The large flowers are pink and begin to bloom in April. This species was first collected in 1878 by G. R. Vasey, son of botanist George Vasey and named in honor of both father and son.[5][6][7]
In the wild, this species grows in acidic moist and wet substrates near bogs and streams. It may occur alongside other types of Rhododendron, such as Rhododendron maximum. The understory is made up of many ericaceous species, such as Vaccinium spp. and Leucothoe editorum.[2] The plant can often be found in areas of the forest that have been recently cleared by logging operations.[5]
Threats to this plant in the wild include destruction of habitat as land is converted to residential use, and poaching.[5]
References
edit- ^ Crowley, D.; Elliott, A. (2021). "Rhododendron vaseyi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T200291164A200291557. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T200291164A200291557.en. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ a b c "Rhododendron vaseyi". NatureServe Explorer. The Nature Conservancy.
- ^ "Rhododendron vaseyi A. Gray". Tropicos.
- ^ NRCS. "Rhododendron vaseyi". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- ^ a b c "Pink-shell Azalea Rhododendron vaseyi". Center for Plant Conservation. 2011-10-26.
- ^ Gray, Asa (1880). "Botanical Contributions". Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 15 (1): 48–49.
- ^ "Rhododendron vaseyi A. Gray, 1879. Pink-shell azalea". Flora of North America.