Also known as Pink Azalea among several other common names, this large azalea is common throughout North Carolina. Formerly known as R. nudiflorum.

Orange Co., NC 4/12/08.

Named for the European Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum), the honeysuckle-like flowers are pleasantly fragrant and appear in early spring, generally with or before the leaves.

Orange Co., NC 4/12/08.

The flowers attract nectaring butterflies, such as this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Person Co., NC 4/18/2011.

Person Co., NC 4/18/2011.

The similar Smooth Azalea (R. arborescens) blooms later, has glabrous young stems, and has sepals greater than 1 mm long (<1 mm for Pinxterflower). Also similar is Rhododendron canescens, which occurs only in the southeastern corner of NC and has densely pubescent leaf undersides.

Chapel Hill, NC 4/14/02.

Granville Co., NC 4/27/03.

Typical form is a tall, open shrub.

Orange Co., NC 4/12/08.

Bark of a large stem.

Orange Co., NC 4/12/08.

Bark of a smaller stem.

Person Co., NC 4/18/2011.