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

Locations ofRhododendron viscosum (L.) Torr. var. serrulatum (Small) H.E. Ahles in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Ericaceae
Botanical Name
Rhododendron viscosum (L.) Torr. var. serrulatum (Small) H.E. Ahles
Common Name
Southeastern Swamp Azalea, Southeastern Clammy Azalea
Synonym(s)
Rhododendron serrulatum (Small) Millais
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Rhododendron viscosum (L.) Torr. var. serrulatum (Small) H.E. Ahles
Comments
Rhododendron viscosum var. serrulatum has a more southern distribution than var. viscosum, and is largely confined to the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains. Although the two taxa are sympatric in this region and have often been lumped, Flora of the Southeastern U.S. treats the serrulatum variant as a species, based on morphology and distribution. Interestingly, however, FSUS states that "distribution northwards into the Carolinas and se. VA is uncertain;" yet we have it mapped in 21 counties, including a few in the Piedmont and mountains. The "serrulatum" entity has been lumped entirely under R. viscosum by FNA and many other sources (see Synonymy in FSUS). There seem to be enough questions about its distinctiveness and distribution in our area to warrant a more conservative, varietal approach, pending a re-evaluation of Virginia material.
Habitat
Acidic alluvial swamps, flatwoods, and seepage swamps. Frequent in the se. Coastal Plain counties but also scattered in the c. Coastal Plain; disjunct to Albemarle Co. in the Piedmont and Giles Co. in the Ridge and Valley.
Native Status
Native

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