ERICACE^ 



A cluster of whitish and uncanny plants, growing stiffly 

 from out a bed of brown pine needles, that is the Indian 

 Pipe. Its pinkish stems are stout, and at their top droop 

 large flowers, that faintly resemble, in shape, the bowl of a 

 pipe. Closely pressed against the soiled stems are thin 

 scales, that take the place of leaves. In short the plant is 

 well described by the popular names of Indian Pipe and 

 Ghost Flower. The name, Ice Plant, is due to the fact 

 that "it resembles frozen jelly and is juicy and tender and 

 dissolves in the hands, like ice." 



The root is the medicinal part, from it is obtained a 

 valuable eye-wash. A powder from it has sometimes been 

 used in the place of opium. 



The plants keep much better out of water, for in water 

 they turn inky black. The change is due to oxidation. 



ERICACEAE HEATH FAMILY 



Rhododendron viscosum, (L.) Torr. 



White, with pinkish cast Swamp Pink, 



White Swamp Honeysuckle, 



June-August Clammy Honeysuckle, 



Clammy Azalea, 

 White Azalea, 



Rhododendron: the ancient Greek name for a rose tree. 

 Viscosum: Latin for viscid. 



THE PREFERRED HABITAT: borders of swamps. 



THIS SHRUB: four feet to eight feet high, much branched; 

 the stem light russet-brown, very woody; the twigs hairy. 

 THE LEAVES: numerous; alternate; tending from obovate to 

 oblanceolate; two inches to four inches long; hairless on 

 either surface or with a few more or less bristly hairs on 

 the veins beneath, a few scattered hairs above ; obtuse and 

 capped with an abrupt tip or acute at the apex; narrowed 

 at the base; on very short stems; entire, the margins rolled 

 under. 



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