Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum("Benibanatokiwamansaku")
Japanese name: ベニバナトキワマンサク（紅花常磐満作） Scientific name:Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum
[Overview]
An evergreen small tree 3–6 m tall.
Stellate hairs are dense over the whole plant.
The leaves are simple and alternate, ovate to broadly ovate, 3–5 cm long, entire, and rather thick.
The young leaves are purplish red; as they mature, some turn green and others remain reddish.
The petiole is 2–3 mm.
Head-like inflorescences at the branch tips bear 3–8 flowers.
The flowers are reddish purple, with 4 strap-like petals about 2 cm long.
The fruit is a capsule, elliptic-globose, 6–7 mm long, densely covered with stellate hairs, and contains 2 black seeds.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, by cuttings, or by grafting.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, fertile site.
It is vulnerable to cold; for planting in the open ground, warm areas west of Kanto are suitable, but care is needed against summer dryness.
