Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 9: 214 (1916).
Verified by:
Shrub or small tree, 3-10m. Leaves obovate to oblanceolate, 17-25 x 8.5-13cm, 1.8-2.4 x as long as broad, apex ± rounded, base cuneate, upper surface giabrescent, with deeply impressed veins, lower surface with a bistrate indumentum, the lower layer compacted, the upper thick, greyish at first, usually soon becoming rufous, composed of only slightly fimbriate, broadly cup-shaped hairs; petioles 2—3cm, strongly flattened and winged, giabrescent. Inflorescence 15-25-flowered; rhachis 30-60mm; pedicels 30-40mm, sparsely grey- to rufous-tomentose, eglandular. Calyx c.2mm, tomentose, lobes rounded. Corolla fleshy, 8-lobed, obliquely campanulate, pale yellow with a crimson blotch, 35-50mm. Stamens 16. Ovary densely rufous-tomentose. Capsule 20-30 X 7-10mm, straight or curved.
NE Burma, China(W Yunnan)
Abies forests, Rhododendron thickets, open slopes
R. megaphyllum Balfour f. & Forrest, Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 12: 138 (1920). Type: China, W Yunnan, Shweli/Salween divide, 11000ft, vi 1918, Forrest 17650 (holo. E). R. regale Balfour f. & Kingdon-Ward, Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 12: 156 (1920). Type: NE Upper Burma, Htawjaw, valley Naumchaung, 12000ft, 19 v 1914, Kingdon-Ward 1565 (holo. E). R. gratum T. L. Ming, Acta Bot. Yunnanica 3: 118 (1981). Type: China, W Yunnan, Yunlong Xiang, Chaojian, Zibeng Shan, 3200m, 21 iv 1980, C. H. Yang 80-0008 (holo. Herb. Inst. Bot. Kunming; iso. E).
Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):253