Description

Shrub or small tree, l-7.5m. Leaves coriaceous, elliptic to oblanceolate, 8-16.5 x 3-5.2cm, 2.5-4 x as long as broad, apex acuminate, base ± cuneate, margin undulate, lower surface of mature leaves glabrous except for numerous red punctate glands overlying the veins; petioles 1-1.8cm, glabrous. Inflorescence 6-15-flowered; rhachis 5-10mm; pedicels c.lOmm, sparsely stellate-tomentose, eglandular. Calyx c.2mm, sparsely ciliate. Corolla tubular-campanulate, glabrous within, pale to deep magenta rose, darker on the lobe margins, with purple flecks and usually a basal blotch, 40-45mm. Ovary glabrous to sparsely rufous-tomentose; style glabrous. Capsule 19-27 x 3—5mm.

Distribution

China (NW Yunnan, SW Sichuan, SE Xizang)

Altitude

Habitat

Open rocky slopes, mixed woodland

Nomenclatural History

R. gymnanthum Diels, Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 5: 211 (1912). Type: China, W NW Yunnan, NW of Tseku, 13000ft, viii 1904, Forrest 5071 (holo. E). R. ceraceum Balfour f. & W. W. Smith, Trans. Bot. Soc. Edinb. 27: 187 (1917). Type: W NW Yunnan, Tseku, Mombeig 166 (holo. E; iso. BM, K). R. admirabile Balfour f. & Forrest, Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 13: 27 (1920). Type: China, SW Sichuan, 10-11000ft, vi 1918, Forrest 16378 (holo. E; iso. K). R. adroserum Balfour f. & Forrest, ibid. 13: 28 (1920). China, W NW Yunnan, Mekong/Salween divide, iv 1917, Forrest 16353 (holo. E)

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):299