Description

Shrub, l-2.3m; bark shghtly rough; young shoots glabrous. Leaves obovate to broadly elliptic, 8—11(—15) x 4.5-5.2(-8.2)cm, 1.8-2.4 x as long as broad, apex retuse to apiculate, base rounded to ± cuneate, entirely glabrous, lower epidermis epapillate, green; petioles 1 —1.5cm, glabrous. Inflorescence 6-10-flowered; rhachis c.5mm; pedicels 10-20mm, glabrous. Calyx 3—12(— 18)mm, fleshy, cupular, reddish, glabrous, lobes rounded, broad. Corolla fleshy, tubular-campanulate, deep rose to deep blackish crimson, 40—65mm. Ovary glabrous to densely glandular and viscid. Capsule 15-20 x 6—7mm. ** * Rhododendron meddianum * var. * atrokermesinum * ** Ovary densely glandular and viscid ** * Rhododendron meddianum * var. * meddianum * ** Ovary ± glabrous

Distribution

Altitude

Habitat

Open rocky slopes, Rhododendron thickets

Nomenclatural History

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):423