Description

Variably sized, often contorted and sometimes prostrate shrub, 0-1-1.2 m, often with very thick lower stem. Leaf-bud scales persistent and very conspicuous. Leaves broadly elliptic to suborbicular, 15-47 x 7-23 mm, base usually rounded, apex obtuse or rounded, rarely emarginate, upper surface dark, glossy green, usually elepidote, lower surface fawn to brown, rarely dark brown or rusty with dense, overlapping scales in 2-3 tiers, those of the lower tier golden, paler than those of the upper tiers. Inflorescence dense, many-flowered; pedicels short, lepidote. Calyx lobes oblong, (3-)4-7 mm, lepidote or elepidote outside, margins usually ciliate with loriform cilia (rarely margined with scales), inner surface glabrous or slightly puberulent. Corolla white or pink, rarely yellowish, tube 6-5-14 mm, lobes (3-)4-8 mm, tube elepidote and glabrous outside, lobes often bearing a few scales on their backs, mouth of the tube densely pilose inside. Stamens 5(-7). Ovary lepidote. Capsule scarcely exceeding the calyx ** * Rhododendron cephalanthum * var. * cephalanthum * ** ** * Rhododendron cephalanthum * var. * platyphyllum * **

Distribution

Altitude

Habitat

Nomenclatural History

Notes

References

Cullen, J. (1980) A Revision of Rhododendron 1: Subgenus Rhododendron sections Rhododendron & Pogonanthum. Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(1):161