Azaleas are rhododendrons and can be evergreen or deciduous.They are in the Ericaceae together with Japanese Andromeda, Pieris and Mountain Laurel, Kalmia. It was during a discussion regarding this plant group that a gardener client showed me Azalea cited in this list of plants 'known to be poisonous to humans'. I was vexed and upset at what I perceived to be an uncalled- for libel.
I did not dismiss the matter but started to do some research on the subject. The American Medical Association published in 1985 a
"Hand Book of Poisonous and Injurious Plants" in which they state, 'Rhododrendons have caused serious intoxication to children who chewed on the leaves" This claim is not repeated in the books revised edition (2007) and no case is cited. The references that are given, refer to poisoning in three goats ( they don't say fatally ) and to four incidents of honey poisonings in Turkey. The story of toxic honey is an old one going back over 2000 years. Since there are not enough Azaleas in these parts for bees to make honey enough for a slice of toast I think that you can safely disregard such warnings.
The A.M.A. have very cleverly denied that they are the publisher of the latest edition of the "Handbook." although it is very obviously the same book with the same format and the same title. Apparently if I have any quarrel with it I must now take my complaints to the New York Botanical Gardens.
Note that Mountain Laurel, Kalmia is also called Sheepkill. So if you keep sheep in your garden then you will have to forego Kalmia. And of course, see that your goats are safely tethered.
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