Example: Wild Azalea

The springtime fragrance of native azaleas in bloom is as sweet as the scene the flowers create. This woody shrub with pink floral clusters is found along streams and moist woods. Flowering plants advertise with appealing smells and colors because they are dependent on the hungry animal life of the community. As the insects, birds, and bats move from plant to plant, feeding on nectar and pollen, they fertilize or pollinate flowers of one bush with pollen from another. Early colonists and pioneers used wildflowers for making dyes, herbal teas, medicines, and wood preservatives. Many herbs are still being used in modern medicines and chemistry.