Spider Azalea               ro-do-DEN-dron sten-o-PET-al-um

• Broadleaf evergreen shrub, an unusual azalea in that both the leaves and flowers petals are very narrow.  Leaves only about 3-5 mm wide and 5 cm long at the middle, tapering gradually to each end, hairy, green, but have a reddish cast in winter.  Flowers deeply divided into narrow strap-like petals, 3-4 cm long, purplish pink to strong purplish red, hairy at base.
• Of garden origin, not found in nature.  Rhododendron stenopetalum is native to Japan (Honshu).
• stenopetalum: steno-, narrow, and petalum, petal.
• Seattle, Washington: Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden.