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Azalea

gerald wallisgerald wallis Posts: 26
in Plants
What is Azalea in taxonomy terms? I know the genus is Rhododendron but Azalea doesn't seem to be a species.

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Google is your friend: https://www.rhododendron.org/classification.htm 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • gerald wallisgerald wallis Posts: 26
    Thanks for the reply George. I had seen that site but it still doesn't say if the term Azalea is a taxonomy class. I don't think so, I believe it's just a common name for some Rhodos but I want to be sure for something I'm writing. Could you (or anyone) clarify this please.
  • gerald wallisgerald wallis Posts: 26
    OK, got it, I didn't read far enough down the Rhodo page on Wiki. Azalea is a subgenus of the Rhodo.
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    I love Rhododendrons.
    I thought I had it sussed.

    All Azaleas are Rhododendrons...but not all Rhododendrons are Azaleas.
    Rhododendrons had 10 stamen
    Those called Azalea have 5 stamen

    But at a talk last month by Rhodo expert Richard Milne, apparently this is even wrong.
    So it gets very technical...above my pay grade.

    With DNA analysis, even shrubs like Menziezia are now reclassified under Rhododendron menziesii. Grr.

    Just call them ALL Rhododendrons and you will be accurate.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think that's the general view - as you say @Silver surfer. All azaleas are rhodos, but not the other way round. It's the simplest way of thinking about it.

    When it gets too complex, there's a danger of one's head exploding.... ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • gerald wallisgerald wallis Posts: 26
    Thanks folks, I've got it pretty well sorted in my brain now!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    @gerald wallis - like Homer Simpson, I find that when I learn something new - it pushes something else out of my brain  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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