Rhododendron tosaense

Flower name
Rhododendron tosaense
Scientific name
Rhododendron tosaense
Aliasメンツツジ, 藤躑躅, 雌躑躅
Place of originJapan
Place of floweringLow mountains
Flowering seasonMarch, April
Language of flowersSelf-control

What is Rhododendron tosaense

Rhododendron tosaense, fuji-tsutsuji, or men-tsutsuji (scientific name: Rhododendron tosaense) is a semi-evergreen shrub in the family Rhododendronaceae and endemic to Japan. It is also called the "female azalea" (Rhododendron weyrichii) because the female azalea is generally smaller than the male azalea (Rhododendron weyrichii). It grows naturally in coastal mountains in the southern Kii Peninsula, Shikoku and eastern Kyushu. The tree is 1 to 2 meters tall, and its branches are finely branched. The young branches and petioles are densely covered with light brown bristles. There are two types of leaves: spring and summer leaves. In spring, it produces wisteria-colored funnel-shaped flowers with 5 lobes at the tip, about 3 cm in diameter.

The name "azalea" comes from its wisteria-colored flowers.
The language of azaleas in general is "moderation," "self-control," and "joy of love.

Origin of the scientific name
The genus name "Rhododendron" is a compound of the Latin words "rhodon" (rose) and "dendron" (tree), meaning "rose-like tree," and the species name "tosaense" means "of Tosa. The scientific name was given by Dr. Tomitaro Makino in 1892.

Common name: Rhododendron tosaense, scientific name: Rhododendron tosaense, also known by other names and Chinese names: Rhododendron mentsutsuji, place of origin: Japan, habitat: southern Kii Peninsula, Shikoku, eastern Kyushu, living environment: coastal mountains, height: 1-2 m, life form: semi-evergreen shrub, [spring leaves] thin, oblong-ovate, leaf length: 1.5-3 cm, leaf width: 0.5-1 cm with acute tip, wedge-shaped base, white to light brown pubescence on both sides and leaf margin, [summer leaves] inverted lanceolate, leaf length: 1-3 cm with acute tip, inflorescence: alternate, flowering period: March - April, flower diameter: 3 cm , flower color: wisteria to pale reddish purple, corolla shape: funnel-shaped with 5 lobes at the tip, number of stamens: 5, uses: garden planting, potted planting.