CALIFORNIAN ROSE-BAY.
Rhododendron Californicum, Hook. Heath Family.
Evergreen shrubs three to fifteen feet high. Leaves.—Four to six inches long; leathery. Flowers.—Rose-pink; in large clusters. Calyx.—Small; with rounded lobes. Corolla.—Broadly campanulate; two inches or so across; slightly irregular; with wavy, margined lobes; the upper spotted within. Stamens.—About equaling the corolla. Style crimson. Stigma funnel-form. (Otherwise as R. occidentale.) Hab.—From British Columbia to Marin County.
In our northern counties the rugged mountain-sides are often densely covered with the lovely rose-bay, which in early summer presents an appearance it would be impossible to rival. When the foliage, which is very rich in both quality and hue, is thickly massed with the great glowing flower-clusters, the sight is worth a pilgrimage to see. It is a shrub so beautiful, we marvel it is not generally cultivated in gardens.
The bees are very fond of the blossoms, but popular tradition ascribes a poisonous quality to the honey made from them.
We have noticed no perfume in these flowers, but the leaves are often quite pleasantly fragrant.