Description

Shrub, c.2m; young shoots densely spreading-setulose and glandular-hairy. Leaves persistent, dimorphic, elliptic; spring leaves 3.5-8.5 x I.2-4.5cm, 2.2-3 x as long as broad, apex acute to acuminate, base cuneate, margin entire, upper surface becoming greyish-setulose, lower surface with a ± dense reddish-brown setulose indumentum; summer leaves smaller, 22-30mm, otherwise as for spring leaves; petioles 5-IOmm, densely brownish-setulose. Inflorescence 7-14-flowered; pedicels 10-20 mm, densely brownish-strigose. Calyx minute, indumentum as for pedicels, lobes narrowly triangular to ± absent. Corolla tubular-campanulate, reddish purple to rose, c.25mm; tube 14-16 x 2-3mm, glabrous; lobes 8-10mm. Stamens 5, filaments glabrous or puberulent below. Ovary densely brownish-strigose; style glabrous. Capsule 5-8mm, ovoid, densely brownish-strigose.

Distribution

China (E Guangdong, S Hunan, W Fujian).

Altitude

Habitat

Open woodland

Nomenclatural History

R. hepaticum P.X.Tan, Survey Gen. Rhododendron S. China 98, f.3 (1983). Type: China, Guangdong, Jiaoling Xian, Shek- 104 EDINB. J. BOT. 47(2) wu Chuen, Tafong Chang, 1100m, 9 v 1957, L. Teng 4669 (holo. IBSC). R. piceum P.X.Tan, Bull. Bot. Res. N.E. Forest. Inst. 2(4): 83 (1983). Type: China, Fujian, Sanming Xian, Shiao-Hu, 20 iv 1964, Fujian Forestry Coll. (Silvicul Fok.) 86 (holo. IBSC).

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. & Rae, S.J. (1990) A Revision of Rhododendron IV Subgenus Tsutsusi. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 47(2):103