Tuesday, 10 June 2014
Azaleas are flowering shrubs comprising two of
the eight subgenera of the genus Rhododendron:
the Tsutsuji (evergreen) and Pentanthera (deciduous). Azaleas
bloom in spring, their flowers often lasting several weeks. Shade tolerant,
they prefer living near or under trees. In Chinese culture, the azalea is known
as "thinking of home bush" and is immortalized in the poetry of Du Fu
and is used to rich effect in contemporary stories such as by Taiwanese author Pai,
Hsien-Yung. The azalea is also one of the symbols of the city of Sao Paulo, in Brazil.
In addition to being renowned for its beauty, the Azalea is also highly toxic.
It contains andromedotoxins in both its leaves and nectar, including honey from
the nectar. Source
