Difference between revisions of "Azalea" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | + | {{Taxobox | |
| color = lightgreen | | color = lightgreen | ||
| name = ''Azalea'' | | name = ''Azalea'' | ||
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| familia = [[Ericaceae]] | | familia = [[Ericaceae]] | ||
| genus = ''[[Rhododendron]]'' | | genus = ''[[Rhododendron]]'' | ||
| − | | subgenus = ''[[Pentanthera]]'' <br | + | | subgenus = ''[[Pentanthera]]'' <br> and <br> ''[[Tsutsusi]]'' |
| subdivision_ranks = Species | | subdivision_ranks = Species | ||
| subdivision = | | subdivision = | ||
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}} | }} | ||
| − | '''Azaleas''' are flowering [[shrub]]s making up part of the genus ''[[Rhododendron]]''. Originally azaleas were classed as a different genus of [[plant]], but now they are | + | '''Azaleas''' are flowering [[shrub]]s making up part of the genus ''[[Rhododendron]]''. Originally azaleas were classed as a different genus of [[plant]], but now they are recognised as two of the eight sub-genera of rhododendrons - subgenus ''[[Pentanthera]]'' (deciduous), and subgenus ''Titsushi'' (evergreen). |
| − | == | + | notes: |
| − | + | One major difference between azaleas and the rest of the rhododendron family is their size. Another is their [[flower]] growth; rhododendrons grow their flowers in stripers, while most azaleas have terminal [[bloom]]s (one flower per flower [[Plant stem|stem]]). However, they have so many stems that during the flowering season they are a solid mass of [[colour]]. Azaleas are recognised by these flowers blooming all at once, in a showy display for a month or two in [[spring (season)|spring]]. The exception to this rule is a small group of azaleas which grow their flowers in tight terminal clusters. | |
| + | |||
| + | ==Overview== | ||
| + | '''''Rhododendron''''' (from the [[Greek language|Greek]]: ''rhodos'', "rose", and ''dendron'', "tree") is a genus of flowering plants in the family [[Ericaceae]]. It is a large genus with over 1000 [[species]] and most have showy flower displays. It includes the plants known to gardeners as [[azalea]]s. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Rhododendron is an interesting genus characterized by [[shrub]]s and small to (rarely) large [[tree]]s, the smallest species growing to 10-20 cm tall, and the largest, ''R. arboreum'', reported to 50 m tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] are spirally arranged; leaf size can range from 1-2 cm to over 50 cm, exceptionally 100 cm in ''R. sinogrande''. They may be either [[evergreen]] or [[deciduous]]. In some species the underside of the leaves are covered with scales (lepidote) or hairs (indumentum). Some of the best known species are noted for their many clusters of large flowers. There are alpine species with small flowers and small leaves, and tropical species such as subgenus ''Vireya'' that often grow as [[epiphyte]]s. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The species are organized by subgenus, section, subsection and series. These are currently divided into four large and four small subgenera: | ||
| + | *Subgenus ''Rhododendron'' L.: small leaf or lepidotes (with scales on the underside of their leaves); several hundred species, type: ''[[Rhododendron ferrugineum]]''. The tropical rhododendrons (sect. ''Vireya'', about 300 species) are usually included as a section in this subgenus, but sometimes split off as a ninth subgenus. | ||
| + | *Subgenus ''Hymenanthes'' (Blume) K.Koch: large leaf or elepidotes (without scales on the underside of their leaves); about 140 species, type: ''[[Rhododendron degronianum]]''. | ||
| + | *Subgenus ''Pentanthera'' G.Don: deciduous azaleas; about 25 species, type ''[[Rhododendron luteum]]''. | ||
| + | *Subgenus ''Tsutsusi'': evergreen azaleas, about 15 species; type ''[[Rhododendron indicum]]''. | ||
| + | *Subgenus ''Azaleastrum'' Planch.: five species; type ''[[Rhododendron ovatum]]''. | ||
| + | *Subgenus ''Candidastrum'' (Sleumer) Philipson & Philipson: one species; ''[[Rhododendron albiflorum]]''. | ||
| + | *Subgenus ''Mumeazalea'': one species, ''[[Rhododendron semibarbatum]]''. | ||
| + | *Subgenus ''Therorhodion'': one species, ''[[Rhododendron camtschaticum]]''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
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| + | |||
| + | ==Description== | ||
| + | One major difference between azaleas and the rest of the rhododendron family is their size. Another is their [[flower]] growth; rhododendrons grow their flowers in stripers, while most azaleas have terminal [[bloom]]s (one flower per flower [[Plant stem|stem]]). However, they have so many stems that during the flowering season they are a solid mass of [[colour]]. Azaleas are recognised by these flowers blooming all at once, in a showy display for a month or two in [[spring (season)|spring]]. The exception to this rule is a small group of azaleas which grow their flowers in tight terminal clusters. | ||
[[image:whiteazalea.jpg|left|thumb|100px|An azalea flower close up]] | [[image:whiteazalea.jpg|left|thumb|100px|An azalea flower close up]] | ||
The [[Satsuki azalea]] group, derived from ''Rhododendron indicum'' and related species, are very popular. | The [[Satsuki azalea]] group, derived from ''Rhododendron indicum'' and related species, are very popular. | ||
| − | A [[Korean wine#Flower wines|traditional alcoholic beverage]] made from azalea blossoms, called ''dugyeonju'' (두견주, literally "azalea wine"), is produced in Korea | + | A [[Korean wine#Flower wines|traditional alcoholic beverage]] made from azalea blossoms, called ''dugyeonju'' (두견주, literally "azalea wine"), is produced in Korea [http://www.skynews.co.kr/skynews_main/ENGLISH/window_on_korea/wok_028.htm]. |
==Cultivation== | ==Cultivation== | ||
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==Azalea Festivals== | ==Azalea Festivals== | ||
[[Image:Azaleas JH.jpg|thumb|left|100px|Fifty year old Azalea]]<!--attribution required: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/image:Azaleas JH.jpg—> | [[Image:Azaleas JH.jpg|thumb|left|100px|Fifty year old Azalea]]<!--attribution required: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/image:Azaleas JH.jpg—> | ||
| − | Many cities in the United States have festivals in the spring celebrating the blooms of the azalea, including [[Wilmington, North Carolina]]<ref>[http://www.ncazaleafestival.org/] | + | Many cities in the United States have festivals in the spring celebrating the blooms of the azalea, including [[Wilmington, North Carolina]]<ref>[http://www.ncazaleafestival.org/]</ref>, [[Norfolk, Virginia]]<ref>[http://www.azaleafestival.org/]</ref>, [[Valdosta, Georgia]]<ref>[http://www.azaleafestival.com/],</ref> [[Palatka, Florida]]<ref>[http://www.flazaleafest.com/],</ref> [[Pickens, South Carolina]]<ref>[http://pickenschamber.org/AzaleaFest/],</ref> [[Muskogee, Oklahoma]]<ref>[http://www.cityofmuskogee.com/],</ref> [[South Gate, California]]<ref>[http://www.azaleafestival.net/],</ref> and [[Mobile, Alabama]]. |
[[image:redazalea.jpg|right|100px|thumb|A close up of a red azalea flower]] | [[image:redazalea.jpg|right|100px|thumb|A close up of a red azalea flower]] | ||
==Japan== | ==Japan== | ||
| − | [[Motoyama, Kochi]] also has a flower festival in which the blooming of | + | [[Motoyama, Kochi]] also has a flower festival in which the blooming of Tsutsuji is celebrated. |
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
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[[Category:Plants]] | [[Category:Plants]] | ||
| − | {{credits| | + | {{credits|Azalea169499672|Rhododendron|177412028}} |
Revision as of 16:53, 12 December 2007
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 Rhododendron 'Hinodegiri'
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see text Source: The Rhododendron page, and some research. |
Azaleas are flowering shrubs making up part of the genus Rhododendron. Originally azaleas were classed as a different genus of plant, but now they are recognised as two of the eight sub-genera of rhododendrons - subgenus Pentanthera (deciduous), and subgenus Titsushi (evergreen).
notes: One major difference between azaleas and the rest of the rhododendron family is their size. Another is their flower growth; rhododendrons grow their flowers in stripers, while most azaleas have terminal blooms (one flower per flower stem). However, they have so many stems that during the flowering season they are a solid mass of colour. Azaleas are recognised by these flowers blooming all at once, in a showy display for a month or two in spring. The exception to this rule is a small group of azaleas which grow their flowers in tight terminal clusters.
Overview
Rhododendron (from the Greek: rhodos, "rose", and dendron, "tree") is a genus of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. It is a large genus with over 1000 species and most have showy flower displays. It includes the plants known to gardeners as azaleas.
The Rhododendron is an interesting genus characterized by shrubs and small to (rarely) large trees, the smallest species growing to 10-20 cm tall, and the largest, R. arboreum, reported to 50 m tall. The leaves are spirally arranged; leaf size can range from 1-2 cm to over 50 cm, exceptionally 100 cm in R. sinogrande. They may be either evergreen or deciduous. In some species the underside of the leaves are covered with scales (lepidote) or hairs (indumentum). Some of the best known species are noted for their many clusters of large flowers. There are alpine species with small flowers and small leaves, and tropical species such as subgenus Vireya that often grow as epiphytes.
The species are organized by subgenus, section, subsection and series. These are currently divided into four large and four small subgenera:
- Subgenus Rhododendron L.: small leaf or lepidotes (with scales on the underside of their leaves); several hundred species, type: Rhododendron ferrugineum. The tropical rhododendrons (sect. Vireya, about 300 species) are usually included as a section in this subgenus, but sometimes split off as a ninth subgenus.
- Subgenus Hymenanthes (Blume) K.Koch: large leaf or elepidotes (without scales on the underside of their leaves); about 140 species, type: Rhododendron degronianum.
- Subgenus Pentanthera G.Don: deciduous azaleas; about 25 species, type Rhododendron luteum.
- Subgenus Tsutsusi: evergreen azaleas, about 15 species; type Rhododendron indicum.
- Subgenus Azaleastrum Planch.: five species; type Rhododendron ovatum.
- Subgenus Candidastrum (Sleumer) Philipson & Philipson: one species; Rhododendron albiflorum.
- Subgenus Mumeazalea: one species, Rhododendron semibarbatum.
- Subgenus Therorhodion: one species, Rhododendron camtschaticum.
Description
One major difference between azaleas and the rest of the rhododendron family is their size. Another is their flower growth; rhododendrons grow their flowers in stripers, while most azaleas have terminal blooms (one flower per flower stem). However, they have so many stems that during the flowering season they are a solid mass of colour. Azaleas are recognised by these flowers blooming all at once, in a showy display for a month or two in spring. The exception to this rule is a small group of azaleas which grow their flowers in tight terminal clusters.
The Satsuki azalea group, derived from Rhododendron indicum and related species, are very popular.
A traditional alcoholic beverage made from azalea blossoms, called dugyeonju (두견주, literally "azalea wine"), is produced in Korea [8].
Cultivation
Plant enthusiasts have created azaleas for hundreds of years. This human genetic modification has produced over 10,000 different cultivars which are propagated by cuttings. Azalea seeds can also be collected and germinated.
Azaleas grow best in well-drained soil or in plant pots in a cool, shady position. Fertilizer is optional, although some species do need regular pruning.
Several commercial nurseries in Semmes, Alabama, a suburb of Mobile, are major national suppliers of azaleas in the U.S.
Azalea Festivals
Many cities in the United States have festivals in the spring celebrating the blooms of the azalea, including Wilmington, North Carolina[1], Norfolk, Virginia[2], Valdosta, Georgia[3] Palatka, Florida[4] Pickens, South Carolina[5] Muskogee, Oklahoma[6] South Gate, California[7] and Mobile, Alabama.
Japan
Motoyama, Kochi also has a flower festival in which the blooming of Tsutsuji is celebrated.
Notes
Credits
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