{"assessment":{"band":"Keystone","factor_identity":{"basis":"approved shared identity","growth_habit_source":"USDA PLANTS","name_used":"Rhododendron minus"},"factor_scopes":{"bees":"Southeastern North America","birds":"North America","caterpillars":"Host genera of native Lepidoptera with established South Carolina range; association and range overlap, not confirmed local feeding.","specialists":"Eastern North America","structure":"USDA species growth habit where matched; otherwise sourced atlas growth habit"},"factors":{"applied_insect_credit":0,"baseline_score":90,"composite":0.907,"insect_support":{"credit":0,"groups":{"ants":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Ants","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"beetles":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Beetles","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"flies":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Flies","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"moths_butterflies":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Adult butterflies / moths","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"other_hymenoptera":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Other wasps","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"other_insects":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Other insects","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"}},"interpretation":"One provisional point per additional documented insect group, capped at five. Flower visits are a resource-use proxy, not confirmed feeding or pollination. Missing evidence is unknown. Study volume and repeated records earn no extra credit.","maximum_credit":5,"version":"insect-support-1"},"pct":{"bees":0.924317617866005,"birds":0.8511166253101737,"caterpillars":0.9392059553349876,"specialists":0.9274193548387096,"structure":0.75},"rank_pct":0.932,"raw":{"bees":24,"birds":5,"caterpillars":55,"genus_used":["Rhododendron","Menziesia"],"specialists":2,"structure":["Shrub"]}},"fit_score":null,"native_basis":"native_inferred","rarity_adjustment":0,"rarity_policy":"Conservation status is displayed separately and never changes ecological scores, including when unranked.","reason":"Calculated with the shared rules using South Carolina host-range and shared ecological evidence.","reference":"NC native reference cohort, method 0.6.4; not a South Carolina percentile","score":90,"scoring_inputs":{"harm_penalty":0,"invasive":false,"invasive_rank":null,"native":true,"state_rank":""},"source_ids":["lep_sc","globi","bigbee","avian","usdahabit","robertson","antseed"],"status":"scored_provisional","version":"shared-0.6.5"},"condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:c90a08a36c4483163134a803a9122972875ad3a40fb8ee90cf878af44b1ac8c8","levels":[0,1,2,3],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[0,3],"scope":null,"semantics":"source_light_categories_preserved_without_hour_conversion","source_field":"light","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rhododendron-minus/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:7cc8bfcf2f9c29503d25ec00f342cf01a80c738e07e1e8c195227ac59862ae35","levels":[1,3],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[1,3],"scope":null,"semantics":"source_drainage_or_moisture_categories_preserved","source_field":"soil_drainage","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rhododendron-minus/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"evidence":{"fit_score":null,"growth_habit":["Shrub"],"invasive_status":{"status":"unresolved"},"native_status":{"status":"native_inferred"},"occurrence":{"county_fips":["45007","45025","45031","45045","45057","45063","45069","45073","45077","45079"],"meaning":"Recorded occurrence; not a county native-range assertion"},"quercus_score":null,"regional":{"county_fips":["45007","45025","45031","45045","45057","45063","45069","45073","45077","45079"],"growth_habit":"shrub","growth_habit_source":"tnky_atlas","invasive":null,"invasive_evidence":[],"invasive_rank":null,"native":true,"native_evidence":[{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Rhododendron minus","scope":"TN-KY","source":"tnky_atlas","url":"https://tennessee-kentucky.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/1584"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Rhododendron minus","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Rhododendron minus","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"}],"native_status":"native_inferred","source_ids":["sernec:98099"],"source_name":"Rhododendron minus","source_refs":["SC-checklist-4.html","sernec_county"],"source_url":"https://sernecportal.org/portal/checklists/checklist.php?pagenumber=4&clid=3141&dynclid=0&pid=84&searchsynonyms=1","state_rank":null},"source_refs":["SC-checklist-4.html","sernec_county"],"source_url":"https://sernecportal.org/portal/checklists/checklist.php?pagenumber=4&clid=3141&dynclid=0&pid=84&searchsynonyms=1","state_rank":{"value":null}},"fit_inputs":{"light":[0,3],"moisture":[1,3],"ph":null},"fit_provenance":{"counties":"USDA PLANTS: recorded in 21 NC counties","light":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","moisture":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox"},"fit_record":{"band":"Keystone","condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:c90a08a36c4483163134a803a9122972875ad3a40fb8ee90cf878af44b1ac8c8","levels":[0,1,2,3],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[0,3],"scope":null,"semantics":"source_light_categories_preserved_without_hour_conversion","source_field":"light","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rhododendron-minus/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:7cc8bfcf2f9c29503d25ec00f342cf01a80c738e07e1e8c195227ac59862ae35","levels":[1,3],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[1,3],"scope":null,"semantics":"source_drainage_or_moisture_categories_preserved","source_field":"soil_drainage","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rhododendron-minus/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"county_fips":["13009","13105","13117","13121","13137","13141","13145","13147","13187","13199","13213","13217","13241","13243","13245","13257","13259","13311","21013","21235","37011","37021","37023","37027","37045","37075","37087","37089","37099","37111","37113","37115","37121","37123","37149","37153","37161","37173","37175","37189","37199","45007","45025","45031","45045","45057","45063","45069","45073","45077","45079","47019","47029","47059","47105","47123","47139","47141","47145","47155","47171","47179"],"fit_inputs":{"light":[0,3],"moisture":[1,3],"ph":null},"fit_note":"Shared sunlight, moisture and pH calculation; county geography is an additional layer. Missing source traits remain unknown.","fit_provenance":{"counties":"USDA PLANTS: recorded in 21 NC counties","light":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","moisture":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed"},"invasive_rank":false,"native_eligible":true,"quercus_score":90,"state":"SC"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed"},"growing_observations":{"extension":{"identity_basis":"Exact genus/species fields on cached page","matched_name":"Rhododendron minus","retrieved":"2026-09-30T17:45:32.461912+00:00","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_sha256":"890b7ecd03cafc9c68a0d9e2593e41cd2c7b06329fa06ecd0a7e96c307a6dbed","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rhododendron-minus/","values":{"bloom_season":["Spring"],"flower_color":["Green","Pink","White"],"hardiness_zones":["5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b"],"height_feet":[3,6],"leaf_habit":["Broadleaf Evergreen","Deciduous","Semi-evergreen"],"life_cycle":["Woody"],"light":["Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)","Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)"],"moisture_categories":["Moist","Occasionally Dry"],"nc_regions":["Coastal","Mountains","Piedmont"],"soil_drainage":["Good Drainage","Moist","Occasionally Dry"],"soil_ph_categories":["Acid (<6.0)"],"width_feet":[3,6]}},"floraquest_carolinas_georgia":{"matched_name":"Rhododendron minus","retrieved":"2026-10-04T13:31:16.252589+00:00","scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"scope_note":"Original regional ecological and identification evidence; no location-specific gardening adjustments.","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_name":"Rhododendron minus","source_record_id":4699,"source_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","trait_evidence":[{"field":"habitat_description","source_column":"HabitatText","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4699,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Rocky slopes, escarpment gorges, rocky areas in the Piedmont, longleaf pine sandhill bluffs in the Coastal Plain."},{"field":"geographic_range_description","source_column":"Description","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4699,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Sc. North Carolina and nw. North Carolina south to sc. South Carolina, sw. Georgia, and s. Alabama. This species ranges up to granite domes along the Blue Ridge Escarpment (such as Whiteside Mountain, Macon and Jackson counties, North Carolina). Also in extreme sw. Virginia and se. Kentucky, where evidently planted. The Kentucky material was determined by Mason Brock to be a hybrid-derived cultivar ( R. dauricum × minus ), almost certainly planted (M. Brock, pers.comm., 2024)."},{"field":"phenology_source_text","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4699,"source_table":"Organism","value":"(Dec-) Apr (in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain)-Jun (at the higher elevations along the Blue Ridge escarpment); Sep-Oct"},{"field":"taxonomic_synonymy","source_column":"Synonymy","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4699,"source_table":"Organism","value":"[= K1, K4, NS, S, Davidian (1982), Horn (2019); = n/a — C; = Rhododendron minus Michx. var. minus — POWO; > Rhododendron cuthbertii Small — S13; Rhododendron minus Michx. — RAB, Tn, W; Rhododendron minus Michx. var. minus — FNA8, Cullen (1980), Duncan & Pullen (1962), Luteyn et al (1996); > Rhododendron punctatum H.C. Andrews — S13]"},{"field":"heliophily_index","source_column":"HIndex","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4699,"source_table":"Organism","value":5},{"field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_column":"Attr2","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4699,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Dry","Moist"]},{"field":"habitat_light_categories","source_column":"Attr3","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4699,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Partial shade","Full shade","Full sun"]},{"field":"graphic_key_source_attributes","source_column":"Attr0..25","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4699,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":{"Attr0":"gr14","Attr1":"nc_mt,nc_pd,sc_cp,sc_mt,sc_pd,ga_cp,ga_mt,ga_pd,","Attr11":"pin","Attr12":"unl","Attr13":"nt","Attr14":"Bl14,Bl5,Bl9","Attr15":"lh,wh","Attr16":"pel","Attr17":"bil","Attr19":"pi,wh","Attr2":"Dry,Moist","Attr20":"n","Attr21":"DSS","Attr3":"Part,Shade,Sun","Attr3a":"y","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_mt:y,native_nc_pd:y,native_sc_cp:y,native_sc_mt:y,native_sc_pd:y,native_ga_cp:y,native_ga_mt:y,native_ga_pd:y,","Attr4":" 12-7","Attr5":"s","Attr6":"n","Attr7":"y","Attr8":"alt","Attr9":"sim"}}],"values":{"geographic_range_description":"Sc. North Carolina and nw. North Carolina south to sc. South Carolina, sw. Georgia, and s. Alabama. This species ranges up to granite domes along the Blue Ridge Escarpment (such as Whiteside Mountain, Macon and Jackson counties, North Carolina). Also in extreme sw. Virginia and se. Kentucky, where evidently planted. The Kentucky material was determined by Mason Brock to be a hybrid-derived cultivar ( R. dauricum × minus ), almost certainly planted (M. Brock, pers.comm., 2024).","graphic_key_source_attributes":{"Attr0":"gr14","Attr1":"nc_mt,nc_pd,sc_cp,sc_mt,sc_pd,ga_cp,ga_mt,ga_pd,","Attr11":"pin","Attr12":"unl","Attr13":"nt","Attr14":"Bl14,Bl5,Bl9","Attr15":"lh,wh","Attr16":"pel","Attr17":"bil","Attr19":"pi,wh","Attr2":"Dry,Moist","Attr20":"n","Attr21":"DSS","Attr3":"Part,Shade,Sun","Attr3a":"y","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_mt:y,native_nc_pd:y,native_sc_cp:y,native_sc_mt:y,native_sc_pd:y,native_ga_cp:y,native_ga_mt:y,native_ga_pd:y,","Attr4":" 12-7","Attr5":"s","Attr6":"n","Attr7":"y","Attr8":"alt","Attr9":"sim"},"habitat_description":"Rocky slopes, escarpment gorges, rocky areas in the Piedmont, longleaf pine sandhill bluffs in the Coastal Plain.","habitat_light_categories":["Partial shade","Full shade","Full sun"],"habitat_moisture_categories":["Dry","Moist"],"heliophily_index":5,"phenology_source_text":"(Dec-) Apr (in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain)-Jun (at the higher elevations along the Blue Ridge escarpment); Sep-Oct","taxonomic_synonymy":"[= K1, K4, NS, S, Davidian (1982), Horn (2019); = n/a — C; = Rhododendron minus Michx. var. minus — POWO; > Rhododendron cuthbertii Small — S13; Rhododendron minus Michx. — RAB, Tn, W; Rhododendron minus Michx. var. minus — FNA8, Cullen (1980), Duncan & Pullen (1962), Luteyn et al (1996); > Rhododendron punctatum H.C. Andrews — S13]"}},"ut_smart_yards":{"identity_basis":"Exact scientific name; no new synonym guesses","matched_name":"Rhododendron minus","modified":"2017-01-11T16:57:12+00:00","page_id":"6568","scope":"Published Tennessee growing guidance; exact cached scientific heading","source_label":"Tennessee Smart Yards","source_url":"https://tynnativeplants.wordpress.com/shrubs-2/scientific-name/carolina-rhododendron-carolina-laurel-piedmont-rhododendron/","values":{"moisture_categories":["moderately wet to moderately dry"]}},"wildflower_center":{"matched_name":"Rhododendron minus","retrieved":"2026-10-03T21:51:48.138634+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Source-reported species characteristics; not a location-specific estimate.","source_label":"Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center","source_sha256":"ae8285684c55302b8e389bdf1a2be1c3d344e36d7173b880833667a8e758f88a","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RHMI2","trait_evidence":[{"expected_source_name":"Rhododendron minus","field":"flower_color","original_field":"flower_color","record_id":"trait:0e9327181cbac8be7ae0cbe564ff43a848d74939cd108f6c9f46c12583035eff","retrieved_at":"2026-10-03T21:51:48.138634+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"wildflower","source_name":"Rhododendron minus","source_sha256":"ae8285684c55302b8e389bdf1a2be1c3d344e36d7173b880833667a8e758f88a","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RHMI2","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:5ddf2fa3-bbb3-5cc3-a62d-57a26339d790","value":["White","Pink","Green"]},{"expected_source_name":"Rhododendron minus","field":"height_description","original_field":"height","record_id":"trait:d7be9cc5dc05a564fa3824032b914f9adc8c57b7fe663cf152d7f55450fa9e56","retrieved_at":"2026-10-03T21:51:48.138634+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"wildflower","source_name":"Rhododendron minus","source_sha256":"ae8285684c55302b8e389bdf1a2be1c3d344e36d7173b880833667a8e758f88a","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RHMI2","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:5ddf2fa3-bbb3-5cc3-a62d-57a26339d790","value":{"approximate":true,"kind":"upper_bound","max":6,"unit":"feet"}},{"expected_source_name":"Rhododendron minus","field":"life_cycle","original_field":"life_cycle","record_id":"trait:e448c244ed93504c7bdb95a50f032636d2699298cba4a1d1832b98170a1f5fe8","retrieved_at":"2026-10-03T21:51:48.138634+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"wildflower","source_name":"Rhododendron minus","source_sha256":"ae8285684c55302b8e389bdf1a2be1c3d344e36d7173b880833667a8e758f88a","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RHMI2","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:5ddf2fa3-bbb3-5cc3-a62d-57a26339d790","value":["Perennial"]}],"values":{"flower_color":["White","Pink","Green"],"height_description":"Up to about 6 feet","life_cycle":["Perennial"]}}},"light_range":["deep shade","part sun"],"light_source":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","native_synthesis":{"claims":[{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Rhododendron minus","scope":"TN-KY","source":"tnky_atlas","url":"https://tennessee-kentucky.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/1584"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Rhododendron minus","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Rhododendron minus","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"}],"county_native_range":"unresolved","explanation":"Source scopes are preserved. State occurrence alone does not establish nativity; combined regional evidence is labeled estimated.","label":"Native to South Carolina (estimated from combined sources)","rule":"southeast-native-synthesis-1","status":"native_inferred"},"source_name":"Rhododendron minus","taxon_id":"taxon:5ddf2fa3-bbb3-5cc3-a62d-57a26339d790","revision":"publish:5809c037-0e9a-430a-8008-5ab6f69800c0","photos":[{"id":"inat-270790859","src":"/api/photos/image/a4a1802107887ad27160911b3d3f9e46da17689d79b78e7e146c2b70cf32ac2f.jpg","view":"bloom","alt":"Rhododendron minus — flower photograph","width":375,"height":500,"artist":"(c) agjackson1, some rights reserved (CC BY)","license":"CC BY 4.0","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","source_url":"https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/270790859","changes":"iNaturalist medium image; no additional crop, retouching, or re-encoding."}]}