File:Bulletin (Pennsylvania Department of Forestry), no. 11 (1901) (19879286014).jpg

Title: Bulletin (Pennsylvania Department of Forestry), no. 11
Identifier: bulletinpennsylv11penx (find matches)
Year: 1901 (1900s)
Authors: Pennsylvania. Dept. of Forestry
Subjects: Forests and forestry
Publisher: Harrisburg, Pa. : The Department : WM. Stanley Ray, state printer of Pennsylvania
Contributing Library: Penn State University
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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208 GREAT LAUREL. Rhododendron maximum, Linnaeus. GENUS DESCRIPTION—The name Rhododeulron Is of Greek origin and means Rose tree. It roinprisos about 100 species of shrubs and a few small trees in the northern hemisphere. About 10 species are native to North America and 1 to Pennsylvania. FORM—A shrub or small bushy tree. In this State usually a shrub from 5-12 ft. in height, but in the mountains ot the South it may reach a height of 35 feet. Stems often twisted, bearing contorted branches which form an irregular round head. BARK—Thin, reddish-brown, at first close, later peeling off Into thin Bcalea. TWIGS—At first green and coated with rusty pubescence but become smooth during first winter, and gradually turn to bright red-brown. BUDS—Alternate; leaf-buds and flower-buds distinct. Leaf-buds usually axillary sometimes terminal, dark green, cone-shaped, form in midsummer. Flower-buds usually terminal, cone- shape, 1-lJ Inches long, covered by numerous, overlapping, green bracts. LEAVES—Alternate, simple, persistent, clustered at apex of branches, ovate to oblong, acute at apex, rounded to wedge-shaped at base, entire on margin, 4-11 Inches long, 15-2J Inches wide, thick, leathery, smooth and dark green on upper surface, whitish on lower surface. LEAF-SCARS—Alternate, slightly raised, fonspicuons. rounded at base, slightly depressed at top, with several bundle-scare arranged in a U-shaped line. FLOWERS—Appear about June after the new leaves are fully developed, are arranged in umbel-like rlupters about 4-5 inches in diameter and borne on glandular pedicels. Individual flowers are perfect, pale rose to white in color; upper petals marked by yellowish-green dots. FRUIT—A dark reddish-brown capsule about i of an inch long, which persists until the following season. Capsules split open lengthwir^e liberating oblong flattened seeds. Surrounded at the base by persistent calyx and terminated by persistent linear style. WOOD—Diflfuse-porous; hard, strong, brittle, light brown with lighter sapwood. Weighs 39.28 lbs. per cubic foot. Of little commercial use but occasionally taanufactured Into tool handles and engraving blocks. Excellent for fuel where it reaches a fair size. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS—The Great Laurel, also known as Rhododendron and Rose Bay, can be distinguished from all other species of trees native to Pennsylvania by its large rersistent, lenthory, simple leaves which are clustered towards the end of the branches and alternate Ir their arrangement. Its shrubby form and its preference for moist habitats also aid In distinguishing it. The conical flower-buds, which are usually terminal and often over an inch long, are also characteristic. The twigs are evidently marked by the bud-scale scars. RANGE—Nova Scotia and Lake Erie on the north, south along the mountains to northern Georgia. DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA—Found throughout the State. Rare in the southeastern part. Abundant throughout the mountainous parts. HABITAT—In the North frequents a cold swampy situation. In the South it ascends the mountains to 3,000 feet but remains along the banks of streams. Tolerates most soils except limestone. IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES—^The Rhododendron does not reach a large enough size In Pennsylvania to produce wood of commercial importance. In the South it often becomes a tree. It is the most attractive shrub in our flora, and will thrive in a variety of situations but prefers moist locations and flees from soils which contain lime.
Text Appearing After Image:
PLATE CXX. GREAT LAUREL. 1. Hraiirb with iiuitiirf ami immature leavt-s. and a cluster of upeii finwcn 2. A fniitin;.' hiainii with a larsre terminal biul. x I. S. Cross-sirtioii of a fniit eapsiile sliowiiiy: five eells. ii.Ttural size. X i.

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