Variation was studied through the entire altitude range and flowering season of Rhododendron calendulaceum (Michx.) Torrey, the flame azalea, in the Nantahala Mountains of North Carolina. Morphological, biochemical, and cytological characters were used in evaluating the species for the presence of phenological forms. No distinct forms were recognizable, nor was it possible to substantiate the contribution of R. bakeri (Lemmon and McKay) Hume to the broad variability of the species. Reasons for the discrepancy between the results of this and previous studies of the area are discussed.