Description

Shrub, 4-6m. Leaves obovate-lanceolate, up to 24 X 11.5cm,c.2.1 x as long as broad, apex rounded, minutely apiculate, base + cuneate, upper surface glabrous when mature, ± smooth, lower surface with a bistrate indumentum, the lower layer compacted, the upper whitish to buff, loosely tomentose, composed of strongly fimbriate, narrowly cup-shaped hairs; petioles 1 —2cm, flattened and narrowly winged (in cultivation ± terete and scarcely winged), giabrescent. Inflorescence c.l5-flowered; rhachis c.l2mm; pedicels 30-45mm, sparsely floccose-tomentose. Calyx c.2mm, tomentose, lobes triangular. CoroOa c.8-lobed, obliquely campanulate, white flushed rose, 40-50mm. Stamens 16. Ovary densely brownish tomentose. Capsule c. 35 x 8mm.

Distribution

China(SE Xizang, NW Yunnan)

Altitude

Habitat

Rhododendron 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):253