Notes For Reference:-

Species, Varieties, or Forms in the Genus Rhododendron:

Rhododendron japonicum / Rengetsutsuji
Rhododendron japonicum f. flavum / Kirengestutsuji
Rhododendron japonoheptamerum var. hondoense / Honshakunage
Rhododendron japonoheptamerum var. okiense / Okishakunage
Rhododendron kaempferi / Yamatsutsuji
Rhododendron lagopus / Daisennmitsubatsutsuji
Rhododendron reticulatum / Kobanomitsubatsutsuji
Rhododendron reticulatum f. albiflorum / Shirobanakobanomitsubatsutsuji
Rhododendron ripense / Kishitsutsuji
Rhododendron semibarbatum / Baikatsutsuji

Rhododendron lagopus / Daisennmitsubatsutsuji ダイセンミツバツツジ

Rhododendron lagopus, a deciduous tree 1-4m in height, grows in forests and on the edges of mountainous regions, with branches that spread sideways. Leaves are arranged in a whorl of three, each blade measuring 5-8cm in length and 3-6cm in width, in a rounded diamond shape. The tips are pointed, and the base is broadly cuneate, with wavy serrations along the margin. The widest part is in the middle. Vivid red-purple flowers singly come out on branch tips before or at the same time as leaves develop. Corollas are 3.5-5cm across, funnel-shaped, and cut into five lobes - there are dark dots 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.