Catawba rhododendron overhanging the Little Pigeon River reaches out of the thickets for sun to warm open its blossoms.

A typical southern spruce-fir understory is home to shrubs such as Catawba rhododendron, thornless blackberry, mountain cranberry, and witch-hobble.

The southern spruce-fir understory is also much denser, and contains plants such as the Catawba rhododendron, which is absent in the northern half of the range.

Evergreen shrublands of by Catawba rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense)

The spruce-fir understories of the Smokies are home to catawba rhododendron, mountain ash, pin cherry, thornless blackberry, and hobblebush.

The forest was characterized by red oak and black locust, white pine and hemlock, as well as rosebay and Catawba rhododendron.

Big Pinnacle is ringed by Catawba rhododendron which has pink blossoms in the spring, making the mountain appear as if it is wearing a "pink crown".

Mixed shrublands of Catawba rhododendron, mountain-laurel (Kalmia latifolia), and black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata)

The Catawba rhododendron has purple flowers in May and June, while the rosebay rhododendron has longer leaves and blooms white or a light pink in June and July.

Rhododendron catawbiense (Catawba Rhododendron) is a species of Rhododendron native to the eastern United States, growing mainly in the Appalachian Mountains from Virginia south to northern Alabama.

In mid-June, the bald provides a wonderful display of Catawba rhododendron and flame azalea, the best show for the least effort, although it can't quite match that of the more isolated Gregory Bald.

Other attractions include the Millers homestead, Carver's Gap, and the Roan Mountain Rhododendron Festival held in the park annually during the peak of the alpine catawba rhododendron bloom in late June.