Wild azalea

Here is Rhododendron canescens of the family ericaceae:

This is a native shrub and is found as far north as Pennsylvania.  The flower above was found on the Brandon Property off of Shiloh road southeast of the city of Brandon Mississippi (the same Brandon mentioned in Apocalypse Now).  I was made aware of the this particular plant by Virgina last year at the start of April and took this picture on April 3, 2009.

deerberry

here is vaccinium stamineum of the family ericaceae:

this picture was taken on the entry road to Mule Jail at the end of April 2007. a spring/summer bloom, this particular plant is small, but noticeable for the number of blooms. it seems, however, that given enough time, v. stamineum can grow to 16 feet in height, or about 5 meters. its fruit is not toxic, whether or not this translates to edible is another matter.

as a side note: this little plant is endangered in Vermont.

huckleberry

here, possibly, is vaccinium eliottii of the family ericaceae:

USDA site did not list v. eliottii. instead, the closest plant i found listed gaylussacia baccata. there is a paucity of photographic record for this plant. what i am certain of is this is a huckleberry and it is in the family ericaceae, which seems to be native to this continent.
also, this photo was taken at Mule Jail in the spring of 2007