Description

Shrub of 1-1.3 m, often epiphytic. Young growth loriform-setose, the setae variably deciduous. Leaves narrowly ovate to elliptic or obovate, 31-40 x 16-22 mm, rounded to cordate at the base, obtuse at the apex, pale green and elepidote above and with a few filiform-acicular hairs along the midrib, margins loriform-ciliate with variably persistent cilia, lower surface pale green or brownish with rather dense scales; petioles loriform-setose. Inflorescence 1-2-flowered, pedicels lepidote and filiform-acicular-pubescent. Calyx 5-lobed, the lobes rounded, c. 2 mm, lepidote and filiform-acicular-pubescent. Corolla openly funnel-campanulate, white, often flushed pink, usually with dark red spots on the inside of the upper part of the tube, glabrous and elepidote outside, rather densely pubescent within the tube, 30-34 mm, tube 16-18 mm. Stamens very unequal. Style exceeding stamens, glabrous or slightly pubescent towards the base. Capsule large, cylindric, tapering, 20-22 mm, densely lepidote.

Distribution

China (C Sichuan)

Altitude

Habitat

On rocks and tree trunks, or 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):58