158 THE SHRUBS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



contrast pleasingly with the large thick evergreen 

 leaves. The leaves and flowers are reputed poison- 

 ous. The wood is very hard and fine grained, but 

 not equal to that of Ivy. 



2. Oval-Leaved Laurel. (R. Catawbiense, 

 Michx.) — This splendid Laurel is chiefly confined to 

 the highest summits of our mountains, but is said to 

 extend somewhat into Virginia. It is often con- 

 founded with the preceding, but besides its different 

 locality, growing only on the tops of such mountains 

 as the Roan in Yancey and Negro Mountain in Ashe, 

 it blossoms earlier than the other, though at a higher 

 elevation, has larger and more intensely colored flow- 

 ers, and shorter and broader leaves. It is 6 to 8 feet 

 high, and handsomer than No. 1. It stands cultiva- 

 tion pretty well in the Middle District. 



3. Dwarf Laurel. (R. punctatum, Andr.) — A 

 rusty looking shrub, 1 to 2 feet high, chiefly confined 

 to the mountains of North Carolina and Georgia. It 

 has a strong family likeness to the other species, but 

 is too inferior to them in every respect to attract or 

 deserve much attention. I have met with it only on 

 Table Rock, Jonas' Ridge and Whiteside Mountain. 



1. Smooth Honeysuckle. (Azalea arborescens, 

 Pursh.) — Found only along water courses in the 

 lower part of the Upper District, and is 4 to 10 feet 

 high. It is similar to the next, a common and well 

 known species ; but this has smooth branchlets, 

 leaves of brighter green above, and long calyx ap- 

 pendages at the base of the flower. The flowers are 



