Taxonomic history:
1753: Linnaeus described this species as Azalea lapponica in Species Plantarum, 1st ed., p. 151 of Ray Society 1957 facsimile.
1812: George Wahlenberg transferred this species to Rhodendron on page 104 of his Flora Lapponica.
today: The current name for this species is Rhododendron lapponicum (L.) Wahlenb.
original Latin description
Azalea foliis adspersis punctis excavatis.
English translation
Azalea on leaves scattered with dots [that are] hollowed out.
English translation with commentary
Azalea | Azalea |
on leaves | foliis - ablative dative of second declension neuter noun folium, -i; object of adspersis |
scattered | adspersis - ablative plural neuter of perfect passive participle of 3rd conjugation verb adspergo, adspergere, adspersi, adspersum; agrees with punctis |
with dots | punctis - ablative plural of 2nd declension neuter noun punctum, -1 |
[that are] | [added for smoother reading] |
hollowed out. | ablative plural neuter of perfect passive participle of 1st conjugation verb excavo, excavare, excavavi, ezcavatum; modifies punctis |