ROCKY MOUNTAIN RHODODENDRON 



Rhododendron albiflorum Hooker 



To those familiar with the eastern rhododendrons, with their 

 glossy evergreen leaves, the Rocky Mountain rhododendron is a 

 surprise, for it has deciduous leaves, and the flowers are not in clus- 

 ters at the ends of the branches, but are scattered along the leafy 

 twigs. The creamy flowers, often tinged with pink, remind us of 

 orange blossoms. Bees are much attracted to them. No one who has 

 traveled over the trails in the Canadian Rockies could have over- 

 looked this beautiful plant. It usually grows in acid soil in company 

 with menziesia and blueberry bushes, on steep, partially shaded slopes. 



Rocky Mountain rhododendron has a narrow range, from Mon- 

 tana to Washington, British Columbia, and Alberta. 



It is very plentiful at Glacier, British Columbia, where this speci- 

 men was gathered at an altitude of 3,500 feet. 



PLATE 305 



