Description

Small, evergreen shrub to 2 m. Young shoots densely lepidote. Leaves narrowly elliptic, obovate or rarely lanceolate, coriaceous or subcoriaceous, (6-)10-24(-30) x (3-)4-12(-16) mm, dark green and usually densely lepidote with variably persistent scales above, pale greyish green beneath with distant to overlapping, large, brownish scales with translucent rims. Inflorescences 1-2-flowered, pedicels lepidote, (10-)12-25 mm. Calyx lobes variable in shape, ovate or oblong, rarely spathulate, rounded, (2-)3-4 mm, greenish or reddish, lepidote. Corolla white, yellow, pink, red or various shades of purple, often spotted darker, (10-)12-15(-17) mm, tube to 7(-8) mm, usually densely lepidote outside. Ovary lepidote. Style very short, deflexed. Capsule lepidote, ± cylindric, 4-6 mm.

Distribution

India (Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal & Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, W Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh), Nepal, Bhutan, ne Burma, China (NW & NW Yunnan, S & SE Xizang)

Altitude

Habitat

Moorland, slopes, open forest

Nomenclatural History

R. elaeagnoides Hooker, Rhodo. Sikkim Himalaya t. 23 (1849). Type: mountains of Sikkim Himalaya, 14-15000 ft, Hooker (holo. K, iso. E). R. ohovatum Hooker, op. cit., consp. 6. Type: Sikkim Himalaya, Lachoong valley, 12000 ft, Hooker (holo. K, iso. E). R. salignum Hooker, op. cit. t. 23A. Type: Sikkim Himalaya, above Choongtam, 7000 ft, Hooker (holo. K, iso. E). R. sinolepidotum Balfour f., Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 10:155 (1917). Type: China, Yunnan, Likiang, Delavay 18 (holo. E). R. cremnastes Balfour f. & Farrer, Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 13:253 (1922). Type: NE Upper Burma, Chimili, 11000 ft, Farrer 1196 (holo. E)

Notes

References

Cullen, J. (1980) A Revision of Rhododendron 1: Subgenus Rhododendron sections Rhododendron & Pogonanthum. Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(1):149