Rhododendron maximum, L.

Form.—A shrub or small tree sometimes reaching a height of 20-25 feet; trunk short and usually twisted and bent, with contorted blanches forming a flat irregular top.

Leaves.—Alternate, simple, evergreen, mostly clustered at the ends of branches, elliptical-oblong, 4-10 inches long, very thick, acute apex, narrowed base, entire, smooth, dark green above, light green beneath.

Flowers.—June; perfect; pale rose to white, upper petals marked with yellow-green dots, flowers arranged in umbel-like heads 4-5 inches in diameter.

Fruit.—Matures in late summer and persists through the winter; a reddish-brown, 5-celled, many-seeded capsule, about ½ inch long, terminated by a long persistent style.

Bark.—Roughened by thin, flaky scales, dark red-brown.

Wood.—Hard, strong, brittle, close-grained, light brown with lighter sapwood.

Range.—Nova Scotia and Lake Erie south along the mountains to Georgia.

Distribution in West Virginia.—Common locally throughout the State, most abundant in the mountainous sections.

Habitat.—Rich soil of stream banks, rocky mountainsides and flats.

Notes.—The wood of Rhododendron is only occasionally used for tool handles, engraving blocks, and other small articles, and is excellent for fuel. On account of its small size the tree is not commercially important. It is one of the most beautiful of our native species and has been appropriately selected as the State flower.