Description

Shrub or small tree, (0.5-)1.3-4m. Leaves narrowly elliptic to elliptic, 6-11 x 2-4cm, 2-2.5 x as long as broad, apex acute, base usually rounded, lower surface usually with a dense (rarely sparse) unistrate finely ramiform, spongy to matted tomentum, yellowish at first, maturing to a rich olive-brown, intermixed with at least some glands; petioles l-2cm, glabrescent or with a persistent tomentum and some stipitate glands. Inflorescence 4-12-flowered; rhachis up to 10mm; pedicels 20-30mm, densely tomentose and glandular. Calyx (4-)8-15mm, glandular, lobes oblong, unequal. Corolla campanulate, white flushed pink or pale pink, sometimes with purple flecks, 30-45mm. Ovary densely stipitate-glandular; style usually glandular in the lower third. Capsule 10-18 x 6-8mm.

Distribution

China (SE Xizang, W Yunnan, SW Sichuan)

Altitude

Habitat

Thickets, open pastures, cliffs

Nomenclatural History

R. adenophorum Balfour f. & W. W. Smith, Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 9: 211 (1916).

Type: China, Yunnan, mountains in the NE of the Yangtze Bend, 27°45’N, 12000ft, vii 1913, Forrest 10429 (holo. E; iso. A, K).

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):340