Rhododendron sp.
It is an evergreen, much-branched shrub. It is dicotyledonous; angiosperm and can grow up to 0.9-1.2m tall. There are many cultivated varieties; most Chinese species grow wild in the south parts of the Yangtze River.
Its leaves are simple, elliptical, smooth and entire margin. Each leaf is about 2.5-5cm long, pointed at the tip and narrowing to a very short stalk at the base, glabrous above but hairy underneath. Young branches and young leaves are covered with rusty hairs.
It blooms in spring, corolla wide funnel-shaped, about 4-5cm across. Petals can be red, pink, purple or white in colour with the upper petals spotted with reddish-purple. The flowers and leaves can be used as medicine for bronchitis.
The fruit is a follicle with star-like six chambers. It is about 1cm long and with many small seeds inside.
There are two species of Rhododendron found in our school that have white flowers and purple flowers.
