Rhododendron minus var. minus, the Carolina azalea or Carolina rhododendron, is a rhododendron species native to the mountains of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Northeast Georgia. It is commonly known as Rhododendron carolinianum in the horticultural trade.
Cultivars include 'Album', 'Carolina Gold', 'Luteum' and 'White Perfection'. R. caroliniaum was crossed with Rhododendron dauricum to create the PJM hybrids.