Rhododendron occidentale
Western azalea
Habitat:
Occurs on moist, well drained sites in the sun or shade, found on the west side of the Cascades and the Sierra Nevada Mountains from British California to southern California (Randall et al 1988).
Loose branched shrub to 10’ tall. Leaves deciduous, 1 1/2” to 4” long. 1/2” to 1” wide, elliptical/oval. Green and smooth above, paler and smooth or with sparse fine hairs beneath; margins entire. Flowers white or pink 1 1/2” to 1 3/4” long and on clusters. Fruit capsules and 1/2” long, brown and pubescent. Twigs slender, light reddish brown becoming grayish brown and smooth (Randall et al 1988).
Courtesy USDA Plants Database