HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RHODY AND AND AN AZALEA Probably the most common plant identification question I see on Renderosity is: "Is it a rhododendron, or is it an azalea?" I thought I'd do a little demonstration on how to tell the difference. I'm no plant identification expert, but I do live in an area where these plants are ubiquitous. The rhododendron is Washington State's official flower. The Leaf ... Rhododendrons have a large, dark green, waxy leaf and azaleas have a smaller, fuzzier leaf. There is such a thing as a small-leaf rhododendron, which only confuses the issue. However, if you see the large, dark green waxy leaf, you can be sure it's a rhody. The Flower ... Rhododendron flowers grow in a cluster at the end of a branch. Azaleas tend to grow in clusters or as single blooms along a branch. There are some azaleas that grow in clusters at the end of a branch, because if there were no exceptions, this would be easy! The most common azaleas in these parts have single flowers along each little branch and stem, and the bushes are covered in a single layer of blossoms. Of course I don't have any pictures for you of this type! Sorry about that. They don't tend to show up well as a photography subject. The Stamen ... Rhododendrons tend to have ten stamens and azaleas tend to have five. If you see a bloom with five stamens, you can be sure it's an azalea. If it has seven or nine or ten or twelve, it's probably a rhododendron. Compare ... If one of these pieces of information doesn't tell you everything you want to know about the flower you just took a picture of, check the other two. You should be able to narrow it down sufficiently for an identification. The Pictures ... (This will be easier if you zoom!) Images 1 through 3 in this collection are all azaleas. (Count the stamens.) I don't want you to think azaleas only come in peaches and oranges! It just happens to be my favorite color, so that's what I've got to show you. Azaleas are pink and purple and red and white, as well as these oranges. In image 1, notice in the background (along the top of the picture) how the flower clusters grow along the branch. This particular specimen was growing in a rather shady place, which is why it's so leggy and sparse. Notice the small leaf size in each of the three images. Images 4 through 7 are all rhododendrons. 4 - Notice the large, dark green leaf and the blossom clusters each growing on the end of a branch. 5 - Rhododendrons can get to be HUGE!! If you see something the size of these bushes, I guarantee you it's a rhody. 6 - A closer shot of the waxy rhododendron leaf and blossom cluster. The cluster on the right is fully open, and the cluster on the left is just starting to come out. Count the stamens. 7 - Rhodys come in all colors. Notice the stamen count and the classic blossom configuration. Image 8 could be confusing! See the smaller, fuzzier leaf? Hmmm ... which is it? Count the stamens. Oh great. Not five, but not ten. It's probably a small-leaf rhododendron. See? Even I can't tell all the time! I hope this has been helpful, and that those of you who have been wondering about these things will feel more confident when identifying rhododendrons and azaleas in the future. Good luck! :D