Rhododendron macrosepalum; mochi-tsutsuji
A species of azalea native to Japan, known for its sticky glandular hairs on the leaves and stems. The name もちつつじ (mochi-tsutsuji) refers to the sticky texture resembling mochi.
Mochi-tsutsuji blooms pink flowers in spring.
Mochi-tsutsuji is often seen in the mountains around here.
Japanese azalea; Rhododendron japonicum; renge azalea
Archaic name for the Japanese azalea (Rhododendron japonicum), now more commonly called れんげつつじ (renge-tsutsuji). This usage is obsolete and found only in older texts.
See also: レンゲツツジ (れんげつつじ)
In old documents, mochi-tsutsuji sometimes refers to what is now called renge-tsutsuji.
The modern common name for Rhododendron japonicum, replacing the archaic もちつつじ in that sense.
General term for azalea; もちつつじ is a specific species.
Katakana spelling, often used in botanical contexts or for emphasis.
Kanji form using 黐 (birdlime) and 躑躅 (azalea); rarely used.
Kanji form using 餅 (mochi) and 躑躅 (azalea); rarely used.
The name もちつつじ literally means 'mochi azalea', referring to the sticky, glutinous texture of the plant's glandular hairs, which resemble mochi (rice cake). The kanji forms 黐躑躅 and 餅躑躅 reflect this etymology, with 黐 meaning 'birdlime' (a sticky substance) and 餅 meaning 'mochi'.