The Wisdom of Azaleas

by Ronald Pies, M.D. and Frances Pies Oliver, ACSW

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.

And yet…even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these”

                                                                                                    (Matthew 6:28-29). 

Yes – flowers are glorious in their seemingly effortless form and function.  But beyond this, flowers can teach us a great deal.  For one thing, they seem to get along with each other much better than do we humans.

We recently learned that there are sixteen azalea species native to the United States, and many other azalea species that have originated in countries such as Japan and China.  Each species exhibits unique characteristics and spectacular displays of color.  In theory, these species must compete with each other for space, nutrients, and sustenance.  Yet at least four of these azalea species co-exist on the east coast of the United States.  So far as we can tell, none has made war upon another.  None has brutalized the others in ways all to familiar to humankind.  These diverse azaleas “toil not, neither do they spin” – yet all four species manage to thrive.  What is their secret?

Perhaps these azaleas cooperate in ways we don’t fully understand.  We know from recent research by Rutgers biology professor Llya Raskin that even the lowliest of plants may aid one another in ways we are tempted to call “altruistic”.  For example, Raskin has shown that a chemical given off by one tobacco plant may actually protect another – turning on the second plant’s defense mechanisms against viruses, bacteria and fungi.  Arguably, this may be to the ultimate advantage of both plants, but it is no less impressive for that.

In the mental health profession, we stress the need for mutual understanding and communication.  We also believe – on the principles of Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) developed by Dr. Albert Ellis – that by thinking clearly and rationally, we can enhance both our own happiness, and our ability to relate well to others.  Yet all around us we see misunderstanding, strife and war.  Humans come in different varieties, but unlike the azaleas, we are all of the same species – and supposedly an advanced one, at that.  Yet it seems we have much to learn from these beautiful flowers.

We are reminded of Tennyson’s famous poem, Flower in the Crannied Wall:

FLOWER in the crannied wall,
I pluck you out of the crannies; -
Hold you here, root and all, in my hand,
Little flower – but if I could understand
What you are, root and all, and all in all,
I should know what God and man is.

Frances Pies Oliver, ACSW is a retired psychiatric social worker and Diplomat of the American Academy of Social Work.  Ronald Pies, MD is a psychiatrist affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine and can be contacted at ronpies@massmed.org

The authors wish to thank Dr. Diane Toby for providing background research.