Description

Large shrub or small tree, 5-6m. Leaves obovate-oblanceolate, 26.5-28(-36) x 10-14cm, 2.3-2.8 x as long as broad, apex rounded, base cuneate, upper surface glabrous when mature, lacking strongly impressed veins, lower surface with a bistrate indumentum, the lower layer white, ± compacted, the upper agglutinated, patchy, often reddish-brown, composed of strongly fimbriate cup-shaped hairs; petioles c. 1.5cm, flattened and with marked wings. Inflorescence 12-17-flowered; rhachis c.20mm; pedicels c.30mm, tomentose. Calyx c.lmm, tomentose. Corolla 8-lobed, obliquely campanulate, pale yellow with a purple basal blotch, 35—45mm. Stamens 16. Ovary densely tomentose. Capsule c.25 x 10mm, curved.

Distribution

China (NW Yunnan, around Weixi)

Altitude

Habitat

Mixed forests

Nomenclatural History

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):252