272 



EBICACEAE. 



RHODODENDRON. 

 (Family Ericaceae). 



Shrubs or exceptionally arbo- 

 rescent: evergreen (in true rho- 

 dendrons) or deciduous (in rho- 

 dora and most azaleas). Twigs 

 slender or moderate, or stout in 

 the larger species, terete: pith 

 rather small, roundish, somewhat 

 colored, continuous. Buds soli- 

 tary and sessile but usually clus- 

 tered above so that the branches 

 are often clustered from the end 

 of a season's growth, the upper 

 usually ovoid, larger and with 

 half-a-dozen or more ciliate scales 

 and the flower-bud usually much 

 enlarged, but the lower success- 

 ively smaller and with fewer ex- 

 posed scales (of which the lateral 

 or lowermost may be almost sup- 

 pressed) and the lowermost mi- 

 nute. Leaf-scars alternate, low, 



shield-shaped and often notched at top or the lowest linear: 

 bundle-trace 1, round or crescent-shaped: stipule-scars lack- 

 ing. Fruit often persistent, as oblong 5-valved capsules. (In- 

 cludes Azalea and Rhodora). 



A number of the Ericaceae contain gludosides or other 

 poisonous substances and are counted among the dangerous 

 stock-poisons. In some cases persons have been made ill by 

 eating the flesh of birds or other animals that have fed on 

 these plants without themselves being injured. The honey 

 of 'others is reputed to be poisonous, including Rhododendron, 

 one species of which possesses a classic reputation. 



