AZALEA. 



221 



The only species common in the vicinity of Boston is A. vis- 

 cosa, which may be found in abundance among the brush-wood 

 in low grounds, and is much admired for the fragrance of its 

 flowers, which are produced in terminal, umbel-like corymbs ; 

 mostly pure white, but sometimes varying to blush or varie- 

 gated ; hairy and glutinous on the outside ; stamens longer than 

 the corolla, which in all the species is bell or funnel form, 

 terminating in five unequal segments. 



As we advance further into the interior, thirty or forty miles, 

 the beautiful A. nudiflora occasionally presents itself to the 

 enraptured traveller, tempting him for a while to forget the 

 objects of his journey, and admire the elegance and fragrance 

 of its flowers. This, as well as A. viscosa, is called by the 

 country people Swamp Pink, probably on account of the odor 

 of the flowers, which has some resemblance to the Garden 

 Pink. By them the/ are eagerly sought after, and form a con- 

 spicuous part of the decoration of the mantel-piece, in its sea- 

 son, the month of June. The color is commonly a fine pink, 

 varying to a deep red, which is rare. Their beauty is much 

 increased by the length of the thread-like stamens, being much 

 longer than the corolla, which is naked or destitute of a calyx, 

 from which its specific name is given, nudiflora, or naked- 

 flowered. 



There are as many as a dozen indigenous species, besides 

 many varieties to be found in different parts of our country ; all 

 handsome, and worthy the attention of the florist. 



" The Azalea is a well-known plant throughout Belgium, 

 and forms one of the most splendid decorations of the flower- 

 garden. It is generally considered to be the most beautiful 

 genus of the flowering shrubs. The neat form and bushy 

 growth, the vast profusion of its flowers, the extensive variety 

 and spleidor of colors in the flowers, their appearance at a 

 season when few other flowers are in bloom, and the little 

 trouble which the plant requires when grown in a suitable soil 

 and a good situation, all combine to cause the plant to be much 

 19* 



