Description

Shrub, to 2m; young shoots densely covered with spreading rufous glandular hairs. Leaves dimorphic, coriaceous, elliptic to elliptic-oblong, sometimes subfalcate; spring leaves 3.6-6 x 1.5-2.5cm, c.2.3 x as long as broad, apex acuminate, base cuneate, margin entire, upper surface densely strigillose, soon gtabrescent, lower surface densely rufous-strigillose; summer leaves as for spring leaves but half the size; petioles 5-8mm, densely spreading-strigose. Inflorescence 3-14-flowered; pedicels c.lOmm, densely strigose. Calyx densely strigose, lobes minute. Corolla tubular-campanulate, reddish-purple, 15-20mm; tube 7-10 x c.2mm, glabrous. Stamens 5, filaments glabrous. Ovary densely strigose; style glabrous. Capsule ovoid, 6-8 x c.4mm, densely reddish-brown strigose.

Distribution

China (Fujian)

Altitude

Habitat

Mixed woodland

Nomenclatural History

R. rufescens P.X.Tan, Bull. Bot. Res. N.E. Forest. Inst.2(4): 86 (1982) nonFranchet (1895). R. apricum P.X.Tan vat. falcinellum P.X.Tan, op. cit. 80 (1982); R. falcinellum P.X.Tan, Survey Gen. Rhododendron S. China 98, f.23 (1983). Type: China, Fujian, Anxi Xian, lu-tin, 20 iv 1974, L.G. Li(L.KLee)740125 (holo. Inst. Mat. Med. Fujian). ? R. spadiceum P.X.Tan, Bull. Bot. Res. N.E. Forest. Inst. 2(4): 87 (1982). Type: China, Fujian, Shanghang Xian, Chungtu, 8 v 1974, Y.Z. Jiang 740703 (holo. Inst. Mat. Med. Fujian).

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. & Rae, S.J. (1990) A Revision of Rhododendron IV Subgenus Tsutsusi. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 47(2):103