Description

Epiphytic or free-growing shrub, 0.6-1.6 m. Young growth often loriform-setose, the setae usually quickly ciecidouous. Leaves mostly obovate, sometimes broadly so, more rarely narrowly elliptic, (35-)45~65 (-85) x 20-35(-45) mm, very rounded to subacute at the apex, tapering to the base, margins often loriform-ciliate when young, upper surface glabrous, lower surface with close, unequal scales sunk in pits with crenulate edges, the rims of the scales upturned. Inflorescence 3-6-flowered, pedicels longer than the flowers, stout, up to 15 mm, lepidote, sometimes loriform-setose and/or fiiiform-acicular pubescent. Calyx lobes ovate to oblong, 5-6 mm, lepidote, sometimes loriform-ciliate or minutely pubescent along the margin. Corolla campanulate, greenish or bright yellow, unspotted, 15-20 mm, tube 8-11 mm, sparsely to densely lepidote outside, sometimes sparsely pubescent on the tube, pilose inside. Ovary lepidote. Capsule cylindric-ovoid, lepidote, 10-13 mm.

Distribution

NE Burma, China (NW & SW Yunnan, SE Xizang)

Altitude

Habitat

Rocks and slopes, or epiphytic, 2500-3650(-4000) m

Nomenclatural History

R. theiochroum Balfour f. & W. W. Smith, Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 9:282 (1916). Type:

China, Yunnan, Shweli/Salween Divide, 10-11000 ft, iv 1913, Forrest 11910 (holo. E). R. cerinum

Balfour f. & Forrest, Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 13:240 (1922). Type: China, Yunnan,

Shweli/Salween Divide, vi 1918, Forrest 17592 (holo. E). R. commodum Balfour f. &■

Forrest, op. cit.: 252. Type: China, Yunnan, N’Maikha/Salween Divide, eastern flank, 11-12000 ft, v 1919, Forrest 17866 (holo. E)

Notes

References

Cullen, J. (1980) A Revision of Rhododendron 1: Subgenus Rhododendron sections Rhododendron & Pogonanthum. Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(1):135