rhodora

A deciduous shrub (Rhododendron canadense) in the heath family, native to northeast North America, having rose-purple flowers that bloom before the leaves appear.

A former genus of Ericaceæ, now included in Rhododendron, section Azalea, but still giving name to the tribe Rhodoreæ.

It was set apart chiefly on account of its prominently two-lipped flower, of which the lower lip consists of two petals, completely separate, or much more nearly so than the three divisions of the upper lip. There was but one species. See def. 2.

[lowercase] A low deciduous shrub, Rhododendron Rhodora (Rhodora Canadensis), a native of cold and wet wooded places from Pennsylvania northward, often covering acres with its delicate rosy flowers, which appear before the leaves.