Rhododendron hidakanum H.Hara

Shrub, to 3 m; young shoots more or less glandular, later glabrescent. Leaves in whorls of up to three, at the ends of the branches, 2.5–6 × 1.5–5 cm, broadly rhombic-ovate, apex shortly cuspidate, lower surface pale, with adpressed hairs or glabrous except for minute papillate glands and long hairs on midrib; petioles glandular. Pedicels glandular, pilose below. Flowers 1–3 per inflorescence, appearing with the leaves; calyx c.3 mm, lobes purple, ribbon-like; corolla magenta, funnel-campanulate, 25–30 mm; stamens 10; ovary shortly stalked-glandular, with scattered pilose hairs, style glabrous. Flowering April-May. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

Distribution  Japan S Hokkaido, mountains.

Habitat c.175 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H6

Conservation status Least concern (LC)