White Swamp Honeysuckle. Clammy Azalea.
Rhododendron viscosum. Heath Family.
A shrub from three to ten feet high. Leaves.—Oblong. Flowers.—White, clustered, appearing after the leaves. Calyx-lobes.—Minute. Corolla.—White, five-lobed, the clammy tube much longer than the lobes. Stamens.—Usually five, protruding. Pistil.—One, protruding.
PLATE XV
MOUNTAIN LAUREL.—K. latifolia.
The fragrant white flowers of this beautiful shrub appear in early summer along the swamps which skirt the coast, and occasionally farther inland. The close family resemblance to the pink azalea (Pl. LXV.) will be at once detected. On the branches of both species will be found those abnormal, fleshy growths, called variously “swamp apples” and “May apples,” which are so relished by the children. Formerly these growths were attributed to the sting of an insect, as in the “oak apple;” now they are generally believed to be modified buds.
American Rhododendron. Great Laurel.
Rhododendron maximum. Heath Family.
A shrub from six to thirty-five feet high. Leaves.—Thick and leathery, oblong, entire. Flowers.—White or pink, clustered. Calyx.—Minute, five-toothed. Corolla.—Somewhat bell-shaped, five-parted, greenish in the throat, with red, yellow, or green spots. Stamens.—Usually ten. Pistil.—One.
This beautiful native shrub is one of the glories of our country when in the perfection of its loveliness. The woods which nearly cover many of the mountains of our Eastern States hide from all but the bold explorer a radiant display during the early part of July. Then the lovely waxy flower-clusters of the American rhododendron are in their fulness of beauty. As in the laurel, the clammy flower-stalks seem fitted to protect the blossom from the depredations of small and useless insects, while the markings on the corolla attract the attention of the desirable bee.
In those parts of the country where it flourishes most luxuriantly, veritable rhododendron jungles termed “hells” by the mountaineers are formed. The branches reach out and interlace in such a fashion as to be almost impassable.
The nectar secreted by the blossoms is popularly supposed to be poisonous. We read in Xenophon that during the retreat of the Ten Thousand, the soldiers found a quantity of honey of which they freely partook, with results that proved almost fatal. This honey is said to have been made from a rhododendron which is still common in Asia Minor and which is believed to possess intoxicating and poisonous properties.