What are the morphological characteristics of Hydrangea macrophylla? A detailed analysis

Deciduous shrub, 3-4 m tall; branchlets smooth, old branches thick and sturdy, with large leaf scars and lenticels. The leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla are large and opposite, light green, glossy, elliptic or obovate, with bluntly serrate margins. The flower heads of Hydrangea macrophylla are large, terminal, in corymbose inflorescences, spherical, with a peduncle. In each flower cluster, the center consists of fertile bisexual flowers, flattened in shape; the outer edge consists of sterile flowers, each with four enlarged petal-like sepals. Hydrangea macrophylla first opens greenish-white, gradually turning pink, then purplish-red, with striking flower color. The flowering period of Hydrangea macrophylla is June-July, and each flower cluster can bloom for as long as two months; the flowering period is long, making it an ideal flowering shrub suitable both for courtyard cultivation and for potted ornamental display. Hydrangea macrophylla is native to the Yangtze River basin of China, and is now cultivated throughout the country. Commonly cultivated varieties include Hydrangea macrophylla 'Grandiflora', Hydrangea paniculata, Hydrangea macrophylla var. purpurea, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Dentata', Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blue Edge', Hydrangea macrophylla 'Silver Edge', and Hydrangea macrophylla 'Climbing'.