Nature at its best in Newberry County, South Carolina
LYNCH'S WOODS PARK
SEASONS IN THE PARK - MAY
MAY IS FOR THE MAY-WHITE AZALEA

The May-White Azalea (Rhododendron eastmanii) was first officially described as a new species in 1999 and, at that time, was only known from two sites in South Carolina, Santee State Park (in Orangeburg County) and an old rock quarry next to I-20 (and just east of the Broad River).  With much field work over the next nine years, this species is now known from about 35 sites in South Carolina, including at Lynch's Woods Park. The May-White azalea is still only known from South Carolina, and no where else on the planet!  Thus, we can say the May-white is an endemic of the state.

Plants at Lynch's Woods are common and found on slopes about the streams, especially on north-facing slopes.  The shrubs get to ten feet tall and, as you can see in the picture below, may have several hundrd flowers.  Plants toward the parking area (west end of the park) are at higher elevations and flower first; usually the first flowers open during last few days of April.  The last of the flowers to open are at the east end of the park (lowest elevation) and can flower into the first week of June.

To distinguish the May-white azalea from other species of azalea you need to notice that it flowers in May (which is late for azaleas), it has white petals, one of which has a yellow blotch (note that some flowers have a more distinct yellow blotch than others).  Also, the plants are found in mature forest on slopes above small streams.  The best part of the May-white is it's distinctive sweet odor.

As flowers of the May-white azalea near the end of their flowering time, they sag downward, as seen below.

Like all azaleas, the flower buds are formed in the late fall and can be seen in plants during the winter and even after the leaves come out in the spring. 

The flower buds are much larger than the leaf buds. The below left picture was taken in January while the one to the right was taken in April.

Below is a picture of the other azalea found at Lynch's Woods, the Pinkster (Rhododendron periclymenoides). 

It flowers in April and the last of its flowers might still be open as the May-white starts flowering.

Two large plants of the pinkster are on the stream bank at the old Girl Scout camp (mile marker 1).

photographs copyright Charles N. Horn, 2008 - do not use without permission
back to Seasons in the Park main page  |  designed by Charles Horn  |  updated 18 May 2008