Description

Shrub, 1.5-2m; young shoots glabrous or with minute stipitate glands. Leaves coriaceous, ovate to elliptic, 6-12 x 3-4cm, 2(-3) x as long as broad, apex rounded, apicuiate, base + cordate, upper surface glabrous, lower surface with a thin scattered adpressed indumentum, even when mature; petioles l-2cm, glabrous when mature. Inflorescence 8-10-flowered; rhachis less than 5mm; pedicels 15-30(-40)mm, densely stipitate-glandular. Calyx (1-) 4-10mm, lobes broadly ovate and rounded when well-developed, stipitate-glandular. Corolla funnel-campanulate, white flushed rose, with or without purple flecks, 30-35mm. Ovary densely stipitate-glandular, style glandular, at least at base. Capsule c. 20 x 10mm.

Distribution

China (NW Yunnan, SE Xizang)

Altitude

Habitat

Thicket margins, bouldcry slopes

Nomenclatural History

R. manopeplum Balfour f. & Forrest, Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 13: 275 (1922). Type: China, SE Xizang, Tsarong Province, duplicate of Forrest no.?, 1919, Forrest 18654 (holo. E; iso. K).

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):281