THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 59 



ailed "spoon wood." Rhododendron cataivbicnse is the 

 mountain rose-bay" and R. LapponiciDn is the "Lapland 

 ose-bay." Both species are also called "laurel." 



Some slight differences in tlic (Inwcrs have given system- 

 tists a chance to separate several deciduous species of Rho- 

 odendron into the genus Azalea. Chief of these is tlie 

 Mayflower" or "wild honeysuckle" {Azalea nndiflora) . It 

 5 one of the few species that when in l)l()()m dominate the 

 indscape. It is not closely related to the true honeysuckles, 

 lit its strong and i)leasing fragrance causes it to share the 

 ommon name. Among names derived from its color are 

 pink azalea," "swamp pink," "ri\er pink, and "purple aza- 

 ea." From the fact that it blooms at Whitsuntide it is 

 :nown as "pinkster" and "pinkster-flower," the Dutch name 

 or the season being Pinxter. Though all the species are 

 ailed "azalea" this is the one usually so named without (juali- 

 ying adjectives. The plant is also called "swani[) lioney- 

 uckle"and "electitni piiil-c," the latter name merely a fanciful 

 ippellation of no significance. Azalea viscosa is the "white 

 ■wamp honeysuckle" from its color and place of growth, and 

 'clammy azalea" for its sticky foliage. An arborescent 

 .pecies, A. arborescens, is known as "smooth azalea" and 

 'tree azalia". Azalea lutea, often known as A. calcndulacea, 

 I species abundant in the southern AUeghanies, has larger 

 ;howy red or yellow flowers and is known as "flame-colored 

 Lzalea," "flaming pinkster," fiery azalea" and "yellow hcmey- , 

 suckle." The alpine azalea" is Loisleura procunibens. Its 

 jnly other vernacular name appears to be "trailing azalea." 

 \ famous New England plant, immortalized by Emerson, is 

 :he "rhodora" called Aariuusly Rhododendron Canadense, R.. 

 Rhodora and Rhodora Canadense. Through it it all, the 

 vernacular name has continued unchanged, an example of 



