i 20 \"fh'c Trees of Kentucky 



FAMILY Ericaceae. 



The Heath family, immortalized by the Scotch heather, is 

 distributed from arctic to tropical regions. In Kentucky, it is 

 represented by two genera, each containing- a tree species: 

 A. Genus Rhododendron. 

 T>. Genus ( )xydendron. 



a. Great Laurel Ihododendron maximum. 



In the mountains of the State, especially in caves and along- 

 small streams of the sandstone regions. Rhododendron forms 

 dense, evergreen thickets. Evergreen leaves are usually needle- 

 like, but Holly and Rhododendron represent two of the broad leaf 

 type. 



The large, perfect flowers are profusely set in showy, pinkish 

 white clusters among whorls of fresh, new leaves. 



Rhododendron and its relative, shrubby Kalmia, are unsur- 

 passed as ornamental evergreens. 



Tree small, bushy, with bent or twisted trunk and stout, 



crooked branches. 



Bark thick, covered with reddish brown scales. 

 Leaves oblong', thick and leathery, dark, glossy green, re- 

 maining on the branches for two or three years. 

 Fruit oblong, woody capsules, containing many fringed seeds. 



