Rhododendron albrechtii

Rhododendron albrechtii (Rhododendron albrechtii) is a species endemic to Japan and a small, deciduous, alp ine shrub belonging to the genus Rhododendron in the family Ericaceae.
It is also known by Japanese name Murasaki Yashio or Miyama Tsutsuji (Deep Mountain Azalea).
It grows wild in cool, subalpine to alpine forests and along the edges of snowfields in Hokkaido, the Sea of Japan side of Honshu, the Tohoku region, and the Chubu region.
As an alpine plant, it grows to a relatively short height of 100–300 cm.
From April to July (spring to early summer), it blooms with reddish-purple, funnel-shaped flowers that are five-lobed at the tips.
Flowering and leaf emergence occur simultaneously, or the flowers may bloom first.
The inner surfaces of the petals have dark spots, and there are 10 stamens.

Origin of the Japanese name “Yashio”: The deep purple color of the flowers resembles a hue achieved by dyeing the fabric multiple times (the number 8 is often used to denote a large number) in dye.

Common Name: Rhododendron albrechtii
Scientific Name: Rhododendron albrechtii,
Japanese Name: Murasaki Yashio, Miyama Tsutsuji (Deep Mountain Azalea),
Distribution: Hokkaido, the Sea of Japan side of Honshu, the Tohoku region, and the Chubu region; Habitat: Cool subalpine to alpine mountain forests and forest edges along snowfields,
Classification: Kingdom Plantae, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Order Ericales, Family Ericaceae, Genus Rhododendron,
Life Form: Deciduous shrub,
Height: 100–300 cm,
Petiole: Short (approx. 0.2 cm), Leaf blade: 5–10 cm, Leaf width: 2–6 cm, Leaf shape: oblanceolate to obovate-elliptic; leaf arrangement: slightly whorled, alternate; leaf margin: fine serrations and glandular hairs; number of leaves at branch tips: 5;
Inflorescence type: raceme; flowering period: April to July (spring to early summer); flower color: reddish-purple; corolla shape: funnel-shaped with 5 lobes at the tip; Corolla diameter: 3–4 cm; Number of flowers per branch tip: 1–6; Pistil: 1 (long); Stamens: 10 (5 long + 5 short);
Fruit type: Capsule; Fruit shape: Oval;
Toxicity: Leaves, flowers, and twigs contain a toxic compound called “grayanotoxin”
Characteristics: Endemic to Japan; flowering and leaf emergence occur simultaneously or the flowers appear first; dark spots on the inner surface of the petals,

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