Rhododendron

Rhododendrons are an evergreen shrub, native to New York. Its flowers grow in large, showy bunches, and the color ranges from white to pink to purple. Its leaves are long, waxy ovals. Cherokee people have several medicinal uses for the leaves, such as to treat headaches and scratches. They also use the wood for carving tools, like pipes and spoons. Rhododendrons are strongly associated with southern Appalachian woods, and the flowers are the state flower of West Virginia.