''Rhododendron albrechtii'' is a species of flowering plant in the family

Ericaceae The Ericaceae () are a Family (biology), family of flowering plants, commonly known as the heath or heather family, found most commonly in acidic and infertile growing conditions. The family is large, with about 4,250 known species spread acros ...

. It is endemic to Japanese temperate rainforests. Native of central and northern Japan; described from specimens collected in the 1860s by Michael Albrecht of the Russian Consulate at Hakodate, for whom the species is named.

Description

''Rhododendron albrechtii'' is a deciduous shrub growing up to 4 feet tall. The leaves often arranged in clusters of five. Pink and magenta flowers bloom in early spring in clusters of three to five.

Distribution and habitat

''Rhododendron albrechtii'' thrives in cold, sub-alpine zones in the rainforests of

Honshu , historically known as , is the largest of the four main islands of Japan. It lies between the Pacific Ocean (east) and the Sea of Japan (west). It is the list of islands by area, seventh-largest island in the world, and the list of islands by ...

and

Hokkaido is the list of islands of Japan by area, second-largest island of Japan and comprises the largest and northernmost prefectures of Japan, prefecture, making up its own list of regions of Japan, region. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaidō fr ...

. It is cultivated in Europe.

Ecology

This rhododendron seems to prefer woodland conditions.

References

albrechtii Flora of Japan Plants described in 1871 {{Ericaceae-stub