126 RHODOREiE. [part i. 



The yellow Azalea (A. pontica or Rhododen- 

 dron Jlavum) differs from A. indica in being quite 

 hardy ; in the flowers being produced in umbels 

 of from eight to twelve, at the ends of the 

 branches, before the leaves ; and in the corollas 

 being funnel-shaped instead of campanulate. 

 The tube of the funnel is, however, shorter than 

 the limb, the segments of which are broad and 

 spreading, the upper three being larger and of 

 a darker yellow than the two below. There 

 are usually five stamens, projecting alittle beyond 

 the corolla, and curving upwards ; the style 

 also curves upwards, and it is crowned by the 

 stigma, which forms a round green head. 



The calyx is very small, and both it and the 

 corolla feel clammy to the touch. The flowers 

 are fragrant. The leaves are deciduous, and they 

 are ovate, slightly hairy, and terminate in a 

 mucro or stiff point. There are many varieties 

 of this species, and many hybrids between it 

 and the American kinds, all of which are quite 

 hardy in British gardens. 



The principal American Azaleas are A. nudi- 

 Jlora^ A viscosa, A. iiitida, and A. speciosa, all of 

 which have the corollas of their flowers funnel- 

 shaped. Of these A. nudiflora is easily known 

 by its stamens, which project a long way beyond 

 the corolla, and by the tube of the corolla being 

 longer than the limb. The plant is deciduous ; and 



