Description

Shrub or small tree, 2-7.5m. Leaves oblanceolate, (12-) 16-25 x 4.8 -6.2cm, 2.5-4 x as long as broad, apex rounded, minutely apiculate, base cuneate, upper surface glabrescent, smooth, lower surface covered with a dense bistrate indumentum, the lower layer compacted, the upper whitish or fawn to pale cinnamon, composed of scarcely fimbriate, broadly cup-shaped hairs; petioles 2-3cm, terete, sparsely whitislj-tomentose. Inflorescence 15-20-flowered; rhachis 10-15(-30)mm; pedicels 20-30mm, sparsely brown-tomentose. Calyx c.lmm, lobes minute. Corolla (5-)7-lobed, funnel-campanulate7; white, sometimes flushed with rose, with a crimson basal blotch, sometimes also with flecks, 35-40mm. Stamens (10-)14. Ovary densely rufous-tomentose. Capsule 18-25 x 4mm, straight or curved.

Distribution

China (NW Yunnan, SE Xizang)

Altitude

Habitat

Conifer forests, Rhododendron thickets

Nomenclatural History

R. foveolatum Rehder & Wilson in Sargent (ed.), PL Wilsonianae 1: 537 (1913). Type: China, NW Yunnan, Tsekou, Mombeig 3 (E)

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):258