Chapman's Rhododendron Rhododendron minus var. Chapmanii
- Phonetic Spelling
- rho-doh-DEN-dron MY-nus chap-MAN-ee-eye
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Woody, evergreen or deciduous shrub in the Ericaceae family. It is heat tolerant and native to Florida. It has rose pink flowers in the Spring that are exquisite and borne in clusters. Chapman’s rhododendron has a very limited distribution. It can be found in the flatwoods of Clay County in the central panhandle and in Gadsden, Leon, Liberty, Calhoun, Gulf and Franklin Counties in the northern panhandle. It is listed as endangered in the state and in the US.
Wildlife Value: Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Rhododendrons are susceptible to insect and disease problems. Insect problems include aphids, borers, lacebugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, nematodes, scale, thrips and whitefly. Diseases include canker, crown rot, root rot, leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew. Full sun can scorch the leaves and the roots rot if soil does not drain well. A healthy plant in the right place with proper maintenance should have few problems. This plant is frequently damaged by deer.
Site: High, bright shade; well-drained soil
Poison Part: All parts.
Poison Delivery Mode: Ingestion.
Severity: HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!
Found in: Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape as cultivated woody shrub; forest or natural area.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Species:
- minus
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Northern Florida
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Florida
- Distribution:
- Flatwoods of Clay County in the central panhandle and in Gadsden, Leon, Liberty, Calhoun, Gulf and Franklin Counties in the northern panhandle.
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 4 in. trusses of pink freckled flowers on short tubes in late spring
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, lustrous, medium green leaves; 1-2 in. long
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Salivation, watering of eyes and nose, abdominal pain, loss of energy, depression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure, difficult breathing, progressive paralysis of arms and legs, coma.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Andromedotoxin, Grayantoxin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
