ITEA. 



ITEA VIRGIXICA. 



RHODODENDRACEJE. PEXTAXDRIA MOXOGYXIA. 



Itea is derived from the Greeks and is so named from the swift- 

 ness of its growth. 



The Virginian Itea is a shrub six or seven feet high 

 at its full growth, sending out many branches from the 

 bottom of the stem to the top : the leaves are alternate, 

 slightly notched at their edges, hght green, and veined. 

 At the extremity of the new shoots ai'e produced five 

 erect spikes of white flowers, three or fom' inches long, 

 wliich blow in the month of July. When this shrub is 

 in vigour, it is entu'ely covered with blossoms in the 

 flowering time, and is exceedingly handsome. It is a 

 native of North America, and was first cultivated in 

 England by Archibald Duke of Argyle, in 1744. 



