Rhododendron lagopus Nakai

Shrub or small tree; young shoots glabrous. Leaves in whorls of up to three, at the ends of the branches, 3.5–5 × 2.5–4 cm, rhombic, apex acute, lower surface sparsely pilose, more densely so over lower part of midrib; petioles densely lanate. Pedicels covered with brown pubescent hairs. Flowers 1–2, appearing before or with the leaves; calyx minute; corolla rose-purple, funnel-campanulate, 20–30 mm; stamens 8–10; ovary densely pale brown villose, style glabrous. Flowering May. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

RHS Hardiness Rating H4

Conservation status Least concern (LC)