Georgia Plume

Description
Scientific Name: Elliottia racemosa
Common Names: Georgia Plume, Southern Plume
Plant Type: Small deciduous tree.
Height: 6-8 feet (at 10 years).
Native Habitat: Moist stream banks to dry ridges, usually in sandy soil.
Native Range: Scattered locations in eastern and southern Georgia. Once know from a site in South Carolina (collected in 1853). Rare though locally abundant it may also occur in cultivation.
Conservation Status: NatureServe lists Elliottia racemosa as Imperiled or Vulnerable in Georgia and Possibly Extirpated in South Carolina. The state of Georgia officially classifies it as Threatened.
Cultivation: Give this plant acid well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Wild plants often spread by root suckering, so pruning may to needed to get a tree form. Root rot is another possible problem, especially on poorly-drained soils.
Flowering Time: Late (July).

Elliottia racemosa or the Georgia Plume is a very rare small tree or large shrub in the ericaceae or rhododendron family, originally from the state of Georgia. A review of the literature on it reveals a story of frustration and disappointment. Despite the fact that it was discovered 170 years or more, and despite the fact that, because of its decorative qualities often described, it is still extremely rare in cultivation. Attractive white plumes of flowers appear in July. Georgia Plume is a rare small tree in Georgia, where he is officially listed as an endangered species found. It takes its name from the beautiful plume like spikes of fragrant white flowers appear in early summer. Since these peaks for up to a foot, a plant in full bloom can be quite striking.

Each inflorescence may be several dozen individual flowers that open gradually from base to tip, and have curved petals similar to those found on some native azaleas. In fact, the way a member of the heath family, which includes azaleas. The flowers develop into small round capsules with up to 40 seeds. The attractive elliptical leaves are about 4 inches long and can be a bright red or scarlet before dropping again in the autumn. Wild plants, which sometimes grow to 30 feet high, found on both wet and dry brook ridge. Because it is so rare Georgia Plume is getting difficult, but the system is maintained. Like most members of his family moves, it has an acid well-drained soil in sun or part shade. Old reports indicate that this species once grew at a site in South Carolina, but there is apparently no longer present. There were also losses of population in Georgia, especially in areas where pine plantations have been established. But the plants are protected in some locations, and efforts are made to insure the survival of the species.

Uses
Although very rarely but Georgia Plume used as an ornamental plant. Georgia Plume has a shape and color of beautiful flowers, but on the other hand these plants include plants that hard to be kept. Diminishing the number of plants in nature is becoming very rare even in their natural habitat. A pride if it can kept maintain these plants.