Pukeiti

Family: Ericaceae (Heath)

Synonym: Rhododendron bakeri

Distribution: USA, East, Appalachians

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Life form: Shrub - deciduous

Comments: Habit: Vigorous, upright deciduous shrub.
Foliage: Obovate to elliptic, light green leaves. Sometimes hairy underneath.
Flower: 5 - 9 flowers appearing in a truss, sometimes before or after the new growth. Flowers are orange to flame red.
Additional note: Now considered to be a natural hybrid, probably between R. canescens x R. flammeum.