Rhododendron ponticum

This plant is an evergreen shrub in the Ericaceae family, native from southeastern Bulgaria to the Caucasus and Lebanon. Its densely branched growth carries tough, leathery, dark green leaves with an oval shape. Purple, funnel-shaped flowers form clusters of 10 to 20 at the branch tips. It is invasive in Great Britain, where its dense shade suppresses native woodland plants. Like other azaleas and rhododendrons, it contains grayanotoxins and is poisonous if eaten. Photographed in Bogotá, Colombia.