Avoided by shepherds because of its poisonous properties but re- 

 puted as harmless to cattle, this beautiful flowering shrub is the 

 only true azalea occurring naturally in the West. Western azalea 

 occurs below the 4,000-foot level in the coastal ranges and between 

 3,000 and 7,500 feet on the western slope of the Sierras, growing in 

 fairly open thickets throughout California and southwestern Ore- 

 gon. Such thickets are especially prevalent on moist, rich loam 

 soil in the mixed conifer forests, usually along stream banks and in 

 the vicinity of springs and wooded canyons. The most characteristic 

 associates of this species are willows, alders, and other shade- and 

 moisture-loving shrubs. 



Some sheepmen and goat producers utilize azalea-infested range 

 without injury to their livestock by denying entrance to flocks until 

 the animals have had several hours fill on good range. Animals 

 poisoned by azalea exhibit such common symptoms of plant poison- 

 ing as vomiting, frothing at the mouth, weakness, and depression. 

 They characteristically grind their teeth in a very audible manner. 



This azalea is often popularly, although incorrectly, confused with 

 the so-called mountain laurels, but it actually is far removed botani- 

 cally from the laurel family. Western azalea varies from 2 to 14 

 feet in height, but is usually about 5 or 6 feet tall. It is readily rec- 

 ognizable because of its showy, fragrant flowers and handsome fall 

 colorings of scarlet and gold ; these features have increased its popu- 

 larity as a cultivated ornamental. Its leaves are deciduous and 

 the new leaves usually appear before other common shrubs start 

 growth in the spring; its flowers are in bloom from May to July. 

 The old bark ordinarily is shreddy and gray in color, while the new 

 shoots vary in hue from green to yellow. Individual stems are close, 

 but not crowded, and vary from 3 to 8 feet or more in height. The 

 regular branching of the upper third of the plant often forms a 

 complete and dense canopy when the leaves are fully out. Its bright 

 green, smooth-edged leaves are thin, approximately 3 inches long, 

 and somewhat boat-shaped. The funnel-shaped blooms, 1 or 2 inches 

 long, are either white or pink with a large yellow blotch on the in- 

 side of the upper lobe. The five stamens extend about an inch beyond 

 the five united petals (corolla) which distinguishes the species from 

 the related coast rhododendron (Rhododendron calif ornicum) hav- 

 ing: a similar but smaller flower and 10 short stamens. 



