Description

Dwarf shrub, 0.3-2.3m; young shoots with a white floccose indumentum, sometimes also glandular- or eglandular-setose; perulae deciduous. Leaves oblanceolate to elliptic, 4—9.5 X 2-4cm, 1.9-3.2 x as long as broad, apex apiculate, base ± rounded to cuneate, glabrous above, with a continuous silvery to fawn, ± loose to compacted rosulate indumentum beneath; petioles 0.5-lcm, indumentum white, floccose. Inflorescence 3-6-flowered; rhachis 5(-8)mm; pedicels 15-25mm, rufous-tomentose or stipitate-glandular. Calyx 3-15mm, coloured, cupular when well-developed, though usually irregular, glabrous except for the rounded, glandular-ciliate lobes. Corolla fleshy, tubular-campanulate, orange-red, occasionally yellow flushed red or even carmine, 35-50mm. Ovary rufous-tomentose, with or without stipitate glands. Capsule 10-15 x 4-6mm. ** * Rhododendron dichroanthum * var. * apodectum * ** Ovary lacking stipitate glands, rarely with one or two towards the base; young shoots with eglandular setae or setae absent. Leaves 1.9-2.4(-2.5) x as long as broad; silvery to fawn. ** * Rhododendron dichroanthum * var. * dichroanthum * ** Ovary lacking stipitate glands, rarely with one or two towards the base; young shoots with eglandular setae or setae absent. Indumentum silvery, compacted; leaves 2.5-3 x as long as broad. ** * Rhododendron dichroanthum * var. * scyphocalyx * ** Ovary with a number of stipitate glands; young shoots often glandular-setose. Leaves 1.9-2.5(-2.7) x as long as broad. ** * Rhododendron dichroanthum * var. * septentrionale * ** Ovary with a number of stipitate glands; young shoots often glandular-setose. Leaves 3-3.3 x as long as broad. Indumentum whitish to fawn, leaves 3-3.3 x as long as broad.

Distribution

Altitude

Habitat

Open rocky slopes, cliff ledges, cane brakes, etc.

Nomenclatural History

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):393