16(3 



The Duration of the Life of the Rhododendron 



We may now turn to examine the causes which determine the 

 life limit of the average rhododendron shrub, but before doing so 

 it will perhaps be best to review briefly the structure of the buds, 

 both leaf and flower. 



An examination of the rhododendron in August or early Sep- 

 tember, shows that the flower and leaf buds for the following year's 

 growth are already formed, and are easily to be distinguished. 

 The flower bud is much the larger, being about three quarters 

 of an inch long, and relatively stout. A longitudinal section 

 shows that the young flowers are each subtended by a relatively 

 long bract, and that the young cluster itself is enclosed by several 



Fig. 3. Branches of Rhododendron Catawbiense which have been cut across 

 slightly below the surface of the ground. Young shoots springing from basal buds 

 are shown. 



overlapping scales. When the flower bud develops the latter fall 

 away, as do the bracts also, and the basal portion of the growing 

 flower stalk is left quite naked. 



In August the leaf-bud is composed of many overlapping 

 scales, but the young leaves may not be distinguished readily. 

 In the following spring, however, when the leaf bud grows, it is 

 to be observed that the basal scales early fall away, as in the 

 flower bud, and leave that portion of the developing stem entirely 



