Rhododendron maximum
(Ericaceae) - This large shrub is the progenitor of the garden varieties. Although the
Peterson's Field Guide lists it in the "pink" section, and the buds I saw were tinged with pink, the mature flowers appeared white.
This is perhaps due to soil content.
Rhododendrons keep their leaves all winter, and they have a tendency to curl up in really cold weather. I have been told that if you study
the plant long enough, you can tell the temperature in winter by how much the leaves have curled...
A member of the Heath family, this plant was blooming in Eastern PA the first week in July.
(Photographed in PA)
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