also: みねずおう
alpine azalea; trailing azalea
A low-growing evergreen shrub found in alpine and arctic regions. Scientific name: Kalmia procumbens (formerly Loiseleuria procumbens).
The alpine azalea is a small evergreen shrub that grows in rocky alpine areas.
In summer, the alpine azalea blooms with pink flowers.
Hiragana spelling, also common.
Kanji form is rare and mainly encountered in botanical contexts or older texts.
The name ミネズオウ is composed of 峰 (mine, 'peak') + 蘇芳 (suō, 'sappanwood', referring to a reddish dye), possibly from the flower color. The exact derivation is uncertain.