Ibeatb Jfamil^. 



Pink Azalea. Wiododendron nudiflorum. 



Swamp Pink, 



Honeysuckle. 



Found in swamps, moist woods, and on hillsides in May. 



This woody-fibred, branching, and leafy shrub, varies in height 

 from 3 to 6 feet ; it has a light, warm-gray bark, nearly smooth to the 

 touch. 



The charming leaf is oval in shape, tapeiing at both ends, with an 

 entire margin; its texture is thin, and the fine surface bears a few soft 

 short scattering hairs. In color it is a light pure golden green. The 

 growth is alternate, and somewhat clustering. 



The large flower is, in shape, a long slender tube spreading at the 

 top into 5 long-pointed divisions with a fold in the center of each ; the 

 5 stamens and pistil are all long and slender, extending their curving 

 ends far out from the tube ; the calyx is hardly noticeable. The color 

 of the corolla varies from pale to deep rose-pink, the tone deepening 

 toward the base of the tube, while the stamens and pistil are rosy 

 crimson, — the tip of the pistil is pinkish-brown. The flowers grow in 

 groups of 5 or more, on short pale green stems, from the ends of the 

 branches. They are very fragrant. 



The very essence of spring seems to dwell in the pink and green 

 colors and the spicy breath of this Azalea. The gestui'e in dropping 

 its flowers is graceful, — the blossom, sliding down the long pistil, hangs 

 swaying on its tip for some time before it finally drops softly to the 

 earth. The branches, especially the lower ones, swing out from the 

 bush in long free curves. 



378 ^ 



