18 The Shrubs of North Carolina 



than in No. 3, rounded at base, finely toothed, 'scarcely tapering, 

 2 to 3 inches long, deciduous as in No. 3. 



(Cassandra calyculata, Don.) — A small shrub, 2 to 3 feet high, 

 growing in damp grounds of the Lower District, and not unlikely 

 in the others. The evergreen leaves are about 1 inch long, 1/3 inch 

 wide, finely toothed, rather stiff, and covered, like the young 

 branches, with small white scales. The flowers are on terminal 

 branchlets, quite small, solitary in the forks of small leaves. 



1. Laurel. (Rhododendron maximum, Linn.) — This is rare 

 north of Pennsylvania, but becomes abundant southward in the 

 Alleghanies, and is common through their whole range in this 

 State, where it often forms impenetrable thickets, many acres in 

 extent. It also grows upon rocky hills in the Middle District as 

 far east as Orange. Its usual height is 8 to 10 feet, but is some- 

 times as high as 20 feet. This is a production of great beauty 

 and universally admired. The flowers, about an inch broad, 

 grow in compact clusters on the ends of the branches, and are 

 generally of a pale rose color, but sometimes whitish, dotted with 

 green and yellow on the inside. These contrast pleasingly with 

 the large thick evergreen leaves. The leaves and flowers are 

 reputed poisonous. 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 confounded 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 in- 

 tensely colored flowers, and shorter and broader leaves. It is 5 

 to 8 feet high, and handsomer than No. 1. It stands cultivation 

 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 appendages at the 

 base of the flower. The flowers are white and roseate, and their 



