Menziesia ciliicalyx var. multiflora
Common name:
Mock Azalea
Menziesia
Pronunciation:
men-zee-SHE-a (men-zeez-ee-a) ki-lee-i-KA-liks mul-ti-FLO-ra
Family:
Ericaceae
Genus:
Type:
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon:
No
- Broadleaf deciduous shrub, erect, to 1 m or more, branches arranged in layers, rounded habit. Leaves alternate, simple, obovate or ovate-oblong, 2.5-5 cm long and 1.5-2.5 cm wide, apex acute or blunt, blade tapering to the base, margin has loosely soft hairs, upper surface bright blue-green, hairs on mid-rib below. Flowers small, nodding, urn-shaped (subcampalulate), white to purple-tinted, anthers 2-3 mm, styles 7-10 mm, 6-10 per cluster (umbel), pedicels generally 2-3 cm, glandular, with soft hairs. Fruit small, dry.
- The var. multiflora is similar to the species but apparently has more but smaller flowers.
- Part shade to shade. moist but well-drained soil. Maintain a acidic organic mulch.
- Hardy to USDA Zone 6 Native to Japan (Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku).
- ciliicalyx: calyx is ciliate (marginal fringe of hairs); multiflora: apparently more flowers per cluster compared to the species, i.e., 6-10 versus 3-8.
- Federal Way, Washington: Rhododendron Species and Botanical Garden