Rhododendron lagopus, a
deciduous tree, 1-4m in height, grows in forests and the edges in
mountainous regions, the branches spreading sideways. Leaves are in
a whorl of three, each blade being 5-8cm in length, 3-6cm in width,
in a roundish diamond shape, with the tips pointed and broadly
cuneate base, the margin having wavy serrations. The widest is in
the middle part. Vivid red-purple flowers singly come out on branch
tips before or at the same time when leaves develop. Corollas are
3.5-5cm across, funnel-shaped, and cut in five - there are dark
dotes on the upper three lobes. Long white hairs grow on calyxes and
peduncles. Significant hairs on the peduncles characterize this
species. Bloom time: April-May. |