Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 10: 18 (1917)
Verified by:
Shrub, 0.6-4.5m. Leaves oblong to oblanceolate, 5-17 x 2-4cm, 2-6.2 x as long as broad, apex apiculate, base rounded to cuneate, lower surface with a bistrate indumentum, the upper layer ramiform-tomentose, ± continuous, pale brown and lanate or more felted and mid- to reddish-brown, or partially detersile and usually rufous, lower layer whitish and compacted; petioles 0.8—2cm, usually persistently brown-tomentose. Inflorescence 10-20-flowered; rhachis 10-18mm; pedicels 10-20mm, tomentose. Calyx 0.5-lmm, tomentose, lobes rounded. Corolla campanulate to funnel-campanulate, white to pink, with crimson flecks, sometimes with a purple basal blotch, 30—40mm. Ovary sparsely glandular and tomentose to almost glabrous, though with a few simple papillate hairs; style glabrous. Capsule 12-20 x c.5mm. ** * Rhododendron alutaceum * var. * alutaceum * ** Leaf indumentum usually pale ochraceous brown, lanate with long fine ramiform hairs, continuous; ovary with a few papillae, otherwise ± glabrous ** * Rhododendron alutaceum * var. * iodes * ** Leaf indumentum mid- to rufous-brown, not lanate, sometimes with upper layer discontinuous; ovary with a sparse indumentum of rufous ramiform hairs and glands. Leaf indumentum with a continuous felted upper layer composed of short fine usually mid-brown ramiform hairs. ** * Rhododendron alutaceum * var. * russotinctum * ** Leaf indumentum mid- to rufous-brown, not lanate, sometimes with upper layer discontinuous; ovary with a sparse indumentum of rufous ramiform hairs and glands. Leaf indumentum with upper layer discontinuous, composed of ramiform rufous hairs.
China (SE Xizang, NW Yunnan, SW & C Sichuan)
Pine forests, cane brakes, open stony places
Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):348