Description

Dwarf shrub, 0.2-l(-1.5)m; young shoots glabrous or with a white ± floccose tomentum. Leaves obovate to elliptic, 4-6(-7.5) x 1.5—2.3cm, 2.2-2.7(-3.3) x as long as broad, apex rounded, apiculate, base ± cuneate, glabrous above when mature, with a dense thick grey-brown ramiform tomentum beneath; petioles 0.5-lcm, usually ± winged, glabrous or with a white floccose tomentum when mature. Inflorescence 2-6-flowered; rhachis 2-3mm; pedicels 10-20mm, stipitate-glandular or with a mixture of long-branched hairs and glands. Calyx 2-12mm, when well-developed ± cupular, lobes ciliate or glandular-ciliate, otherwise glabrous. Corolla not fleshy, tubular-campanulate, yellow or orange to carmine, 32-45mm. Ovary stipitate-glandular and/or densely rufous-tomentose. Capsule 8-12 x 4-6mm. ** * Rhododendron citriniflorum * var. * citriniflorum * ** Corolla yellow; calyx 2-5(-10)mm; ovary and usually pedicels stipitate-glandular. ** * Rhododendron citriniflorum * var. * horaeum * ** Corolla yellowish-red to carmine; calyx (2—)7 —12mm; ovary and pedicels eglandular.

Distribution

China (SE Xizang, NW Yunnan)

Altitude

Habitat

Cliffs, rocks, moorland, occasionally in thickets

Nomenclatural History

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):392