Evergreen Azalea 'Surprise'

* In California this plant blooms mid-March.

* Toxic to Horses, Cats, and to Dogs. Rhododendrons contain Grayantoxin a chemical in the plant that causes vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, hypotension, CNS depression, cardiovascular collapse and death. Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems. Rhododendron is typically not very palatable to horses unless it is the only forage available, but sheep and goats may graze readily on the plant. The toxic principle interferes with normal skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and nerve function. Clinical effects typically occur within a few hours after ingestion, and can include acute digestive upset, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, frequent bowel movements/diarrhea, colic, depression, weakness, loss of coordination, stupor, leg paralysis, weak heart rate and recumbency for 2 or more days; at this point, improvement may be seen or the animal may become comatose and die.

* All azaleas are classified as Rhododendron. However, the name "azalea" is applied to the native deciduous class and a few oriental evergreen types. Generally, the name Rhododendron is applied to the flowers with large, leathery evergreen leaves.