The Hairy-Leaved Alpenrose 



(RHODODENDRON HIRSUTUM) 



The Alpenrose is the commonest and best known of all the 

 Alpine plants. It abounds almost everywhere ; were it not 

 so it would have become practically extinct years before, for 

 it is gathered unmercifully. Nor are the visitors to Switzer- 

 land alone responsible for this. Every Sunday throughout 

 the summer, crowds of the native peasants, both children 

 and adults, may be seen returning home, each bearing in 

 his arms an immense bunch of the favourite flower, and 

 often with a second and smaller nosegay tied round the top 

 of his alpenstock. 



There are really two distinct species of Alpenrose, the 

 Hairy -leaved {Rhododendron hirsutum\ and the Rusty- 

 leaved {Rhododendron ferrugineuni) varieties, and a hybrid 

 or cross between them is also less commonly found. Both 

 varieties are low evergeen shrubs with thick leathery leaves 

 which only fade after three or four years. Both have raised 

 brown spots on the lower surfaces of the leaves, only they 

 are much more numerous on the Rusty-leaved species, so 

 that the under surface of the leaf is completely covered with 

 them while they are only sparsely scattered on the leaf of 

 the Hairy-leaved variety. They contain a balsam, and are 

 thought to be of use to the plant in preventing its drying 

 up. They may also assist in the absorption of water. The 



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