Rhodora

Rhodora is an early flowering deciduous shrub with rose-purple flowers, that have three lobes in the upper part and a lower lip that is divided into 2 narrow petals. Flowers bloom before leafing occurs. Leaves are light green and broadly oval. They are highly toxic. Flowering time is early May to June. These shrubs are common in sphagnum bogs, swamps, barrens and wet slopes. The white form albiflorum is rare. Rhodora occurs in eastern North America from Newfoundland to Quebec and south to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In Ontario and New Jersey it is critically imperiled but secure in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.