Description

Large shrub or small tree, 2.5-12m. Leaves obovate to oblanceolate (8—)12—37 x 5.5-13.5cm, 1.5-3.8 x as long as broad, apex rounded to ± acute, base cordate to cuneate, upper surface giabrescent, ± smooth to rugulose, lower surface with a dense fawn to rufous indumentum composed of slightly to strongly fimbriate cup-shaped hairs; petioles 2-3cm, terete, with a dense pale tomentum. Inflorescence 12—20-flowered; rhachis 15—20mm; pedicels 15-30mm, sparsely brownish-tomentose. Calyx l-2mm, ± tomentose. Corolla fleshy, 7-8-lobed, obliquely campanulate to ± regular-campanulate, white or pale yellow to pink, with a crimson basal blotch and flecks, 30-45mm. Stamens 14-16. Ovary densely brown-tomentose. Capsule 25-35 x 6-9mm, curved ** * Rhododendron rex * var. * arizelum * ** Leaves 1.5-3.8 x as long as broad; indumentum brown to rufous, composed of narrower, moderately to strongly fimbriate cup-shaped hairs; corolla white or pink to yellow. Corolla pale yellow; leaves 1.5-2.1(-2.5) x as long as broad, cup-shaped hairs narrow, strongly fimbriate. ** * Rhododendron rex * var. * fictolacteum * ** Leaves 1.5-3.8 x as long as broad; indumentum brown to rufous, composed of narrower, moderately to strongly fimbriate cup-shaped hairs; corolla white or pink to yellow. Corolla white flushed pink; leaves (2-)2.5-3.8 X as long as broad, cup-shaped hairs moderately fimbriate. ** * Rhododendron rex * var. * rex * ** Leaves 2.4-3.1 x as long as broad, indumentum fawn, composed of only slightly fimbriate, broadly cup-shaped hairs; corolla white flushed pink

Distribution

Altitude

Habitat

Nomenclatural History

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):255