| Rhododendron
japonoheptamerum var. hondoense, an evergreen shrub, inhabits
ridge trails or rocky areas deep in mountains in hilly districts,
growing 1.5-7m in height, some large trunks measuring 10-15cm in
diameter. Leaves are alternate; their blades measure 8-15cm in
length, 1.5-5cm in width, long-oblong or obovate long-oblong,
leathery, glossy, and tips pointed. Branch tips set many
5cm-in-diameter beautiful flowers facing sideways, the color ranging
from red-purple, light red-purple, rarely to white. Hairs are
prominent on the lower portions of filaments and ovaries inside the
flowers. Bloom time: April-June. |
