If the plant is not in bloom, how does one tell the difference between an azalea and a rhododendron?

There is no such thing as a true Azalea. . . all Azaleas are from the genus Rhododendron. However, the Rhododendron genus is divided into azaleas and "true" rhododendrons.





One quick way to distinguish between the two when the flowers are in bloom is the fact that Azaleas usually have 5 stamens, while Rhododendrons normally have 10 or more stamens.





Just remember, you can't go wrong by calling the plant a Rhododendron.

If the plant is not in bloom, how does one tell the difference between an azalea and a rhododendron?
Azalea's have much smaller leaves, only an inch or two long. Rhodo's are much bigger, 4 inches or more.
Reply:well the leaves of a rhododedron are about 4 inches long and maybe an inch wide. they run circular about 5 to a branch. azalea leaves are single and much much smaller. actually these plants look nothing alike so if you just get a picture of each of them it should be easy to tell them apart. its like telling the difference between skittles and hersey kisses. they also bloom at different times, azaleas in early spring and rhodos mid to late spring.