rhododendron

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an evergreen or deciduous shrub or small tree of the genus Rhododendron, often grown for clusters of showy flowers

   A purple rhododendron bloomed beside the shaded path.

2. 2
   noun

   in older botanical use, the oleander

   Some classical writers used rhododendron for the plant now called oleander.

From Latin rhododendron and Greek rhododendron, literally "rose tree," from rhodon ("rose") + dendron ("tree"). The ancient name referred to oleander; modern botanical usage comes through the genus Rhododendron.

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