Pinkshell Azalea is a rare showy large shrub. A North Carolina endemic, its known range is currently restricted to five counties in the Mountains, though it may also grows in adjacent areas of South Carolina or Georgia.

The flowers are distinctive, with much shorter corolla tubes (2-5 mm) than other local azaleas.

Whiteside Mountain, Jackson Co., NC 5/14/06 (all photos).

Leaf detail. The leaves tend to broader than those of other azaleas in NC.

Capsules left from last year. The capsules are shorter than those of other azaleas in NC.

Bark detail.