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Rhododendron viscosum (L.) Torr.

Swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderEricalesTea, persimmon, blueberry, Brazil nut, azalea, many others
FamilyEricaceaeHeath or heather family
GenusRhododendronFrom Greek rhodos, “rose,” and dendron, “tree”
SpeciesviscosumFrom the Latin viscosus, “sticky,” in reference to the sticky substance excreted by glandular hairs on the corolla tubes of the flowers

About plant names...

Swamp azalea is native to the eastern and southern United States. It prefers swampy lowland habitats with a uniform level of soil moisture.

Plants: Woody, evergreen or deciduous shrubs are 3-5′ (91-152 cm) around, rarely reaching 8′ (2.4 m) and (by some accounts) up to 12′ (3.7 m) in width. They have a somewhat gangly habit.

Leaves: Alternate, lustrous, dark green, narrow, obovate to oblong-obovate, with blunt or short-pointed tips. In the fall, leaves turn orange or maroon.

Flowers: White to pale pink, 1¼-1¾″ (3.2-4.4 cm) long, in clusters of 4-9. Each flower consists of a long, narrow, very sticky tube, flared at the end into a corolla of five fused petal-like lobes. Five stamens extend beyond the flower, with dramatic flair. Flowers have a sweet, musky, clove-like aroma—said to be the most aromatic of all azaleas. Blooms from May to July.

Fruits: Capsules are ¼-¾″ (7-20 mm) × ⅛-¼″ (3-7 mm), in dark brown clusters.

Edibility: Poisonous Skull & Crossbones All parts of the plant are poisonous and may be fatal if eaten. The poison is adromedotoxin. Symptoms of poisoning include salivation, watering of eyes and nose, abdominal pain, loss of energy, depression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, difficulty breath­ing, program paralysis of extremities, and coma.

Online References:

The Missouri Botanical Garden

Www.carolinanature.com

Tjhsst.edu

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Plants.ces.ncsu.edu

Gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org

Maine.gov’s Department of Conservation Maine Natural Areas Program

SEINet—the Southwest Environmental Information Network

Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea)

6/27/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 10 cm)

Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea)

7/2/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts

Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea)

7/29/2023 · By Jacquelyn Boyt

Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea)

6/16/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Azalea serrulata Small

Azalea viscosa L.

Rhododendron coryi Shinners

Rhododendron serrulatum (Small) Millais

Rhododendron viscosum (L.) Torr. var. aemulans Rehder

Rhododendron viscosum (L.) Torr. var. glaucum (Michx.) A. Gray

Rhododendron viscosum (L.) Torr. var. montanum Rehder

Rhododendron viscosum (L.) Torr. var. nitidum (Pursh) A. Gray

Rhododendron viscosum (L.) Torr. var. serrulatum (Small) H.E. Ahles

Rhododendron viscosum (L.) Torr. var. tomentosum Rehder

 

Rhododendron viscosum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea)

6/16/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)

Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea)

7/2/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts

Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea)

6/16/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea)

6/16/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)

Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea)

6/24/2015 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Ctr, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 6″ (20 × 14 cm)

Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea)

6/24/2015 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Ctr, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 12 cm)

Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea)

6/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea)

7/2/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts

Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea)

6/16/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea, swamp-honeysuckle, Clammy azalea, hammocksweet azalea, Cory azalea)

6/24/2015 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Ctr, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 12 cm)

Range: Zones 4-9:

About this map...