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AzaleaπΈ
Rhododendron obtusum
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An evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub widely distributed and planted in mountains, fields, and parks throughout Japan. Its vivid spring flowers are a seasonal hallmark, making it one of the most commonly used plants for roadside and park hedges. Numerous cultivars exist, including Hirado Azalea, Kirishima Azalea, and Kurume Azalea, with diverse flower colors in white, pink, red, and purple.
Identification Points
- βFunnel-shaped to bell-shaped corolla with 5 lobes (some cultivars have spotted petals)
- βLeaves are small, elliptical to obovate, with hairs on the surface
- β5β10 stamens
- βTolerates heavy pruning and is often trimmed into hemispheric form
- βEvergreen to semi-evergreen shrub, 1β3 m tall
Habitat
Parks, roadside plantings, gardens, and hedges; also native on rocky areas and forest edges in mountains
Season
AprilβMay (flowering)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf dissection
Dissected
Leaf shape
Round
Growth form
Shrub
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Petal count
5 petals
Petal fusion
Fused
Flowering season
Spring
Habitat
Cultivated
Stipules
Absent
Stamen count
3-4
Phylogenetic PositionγγγΈη§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core Eudicots > Ericales > Ericaceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous (ca. 80 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Ericaceae is characterized by adaptation to acidic soils and symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi. Rhododendron is one of the largest woody plant genera in the world, comprising approximately 1,000 species.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification