Rhododendron. 1 69 



otherwise over. The flowers are pale rose or pink varying 

 to white with many inter-mixtures of shades, but always 

 attractive. As a single specimen and in tree form, few 

 shrubs surpass it in interest, and it is worthy of much 

 more general cultivation. ^?. punctatum rises but five or 

 six feet, has its blossoms in dense corymbs, rose-colored, 

 somewhat funnel-shaped, and spotted within. These ap- 

 pear in May or June. Like the leaves of the plant itself, 

 they are borne on pedicils covered with viscid globules 

 which are unpleasant to the touch. The shrub affects 

 lofty altitudes, and it is seldom found except among and 

 high up on the mountains. 



As there are more than a hundred species and innu- 

 merable hybrids and varieties of rhododendrons known in 

 horticulture, it is impracticable to attempt an enumeration 

 of their names, much less of their varying qualities. They 

 can only be discussed on general principles and in groups 

 and classes, leaving details to the judgment and taste of 

 those especially interested. There are but three American 

 species which may be considered of value in this con- 

 nection, the catawbiense^ the maximum, and the punc- 

 tatum, to each of which reference has been made. The 

 first - named is found growing freely on the Carolina 

 mountains and contiguous localities. It is usually from 

 three to six feet high with an irregular, spreading head, 

 and oval or oblong leaves rounded at both ends. The 



o 



flowers are lilac-purple, appearing in July, and not es- 

 pecially beautiful. The hardiness and adaptability to 

 adverse situations is seen in the fact that the plant is 

 sometimes found in moist woods and leaf-mould, and some- 



