Description

Shrub to 1 m. Young shoots densely loriform-setose, the setae straight, not twisted and matted. Leaves broadly elliptic, 30-45 x 18-22 mm, apex obtuse, base cuneate, ± persistently loriform-ciliate, upper surface densely loriform-setose, lower surface with vesicular scales sunk in crenulately margined pits, inflorescence 1-2-flowered, pedicels lepidote, short, sometimes sparsely loriform-setose and pubescent. Calyx lobes obovate, 7-8 mm, greenish or often reddish, loriform-ciliate, not or scarcely iepidote except on the tube. Corolla very broadly campanulate to almost rotate, white, often tinged pinkish, 25-30 mm, tube 8-11 mm, lepidote outside, particularly on the lobes, pilose within. Ovary lepidote. Capsule lepidote, up to 10 mm.

Distribution

China (S Xizang—Tsangpo gorge)

Altitude

Habitat

Grassy, scrubby slopes, rarely epiphytic

Nomenclatural History

Notes

References

Cullen, J. (1980) A Revision of Rhododendron 1: Subgenus Rhododendron sections Rhododendron & Pogonanthum. Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(1):138