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RHODODENDRON ARBOREUM. 
TREE-LIKE RHODODENDRON. 
CLASS. ORDER. 
DECANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
NATURAL ORDER. 
RHQDQRACEiE,. 
Generic Character. — Calyx five-el.eft, persisting. Corolla funnel-shaped, limb in five divisions, 
spreading. Stamens hypogynous, declining ; filaments filiform, anthers ovate. Style filiform ; stigma 
capitate. Capsule five-celled, central column composed of five lobes. Seeds thin, linear, having an. 
obvolute membrane. 
Specific Character. — Bark rugged, soft, and tuberous. Leaves lanceolate, acute, silvery beneath. 
Flowers in terminal clusters, campanulate. Calyxes woolly. 
This is by far the most magnificent of all the rhododendrons hitherto dis- 
covered. Its tree-like stature, handsome form, ample foliage, and gorgeous heads 
of deep red or crimson flowers, render it one of the most ornamental and desirable 
of exotics. It requires a place in the greenhouse or conservatory, not being hardy 
enough to bear our winters like its congeners from North America ; though hopes 
are entertained that, after a few more years* partial exposure to the climate of 
Britain, and when the oldest plants gain a more moderate growth and hardier habit, 
they, or some of their progeny, may be able to resist ordinary frosts. 
The botanical world are indebted to the indefatigable Dr. Wallich for the intro- 
duction of this and, we believe, of three other species of rhododendron, from the 
lately explored country of Nepal. How delighted that gentleman must have been 
on his first view of this splendid tree ! It was an acquisition which well rewarded 
his personal toil and trouble, in his anxious search for the botanical riches of that 
almost unknown part of the world. Nor was this his only acquisition ; many other 
new and fine plants were discovered, described, and figured, in his splendid folio 
work, “ Plantse Rariores Asiatics,” published in 1830. 
Our present subject, like the rest of this highly ornamental family, succeeds 
best in turfy peat-earth, and may be propagated by layers. Luckily, with proper 
care, it occasionally ripens seeds, w r hich wdth us vegetate readily. It was introduced 
in 1820 ; the white variety of it, we believe, a year or two before. Since then, 
several of its alliances have been received from the continent, as well as direct from 
India, both by seeds and plants, particularly that fine species the R. campanulata . 
VOL. i. — no. v. 
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