Description

Shrub to small tree, l-4(-10)m. Leaves coriaceous, elliptic to oblanceolate, 7.5-15 x 3-5cm, 2.5-5 x as long as broad, apex acuminate, base ± cuneate, margin not undulate, upper surface glabrous, lower surface glabrous or with a thin veil of indumentum, numerous red punctate hair-bases also present; petioles l-2cm, glabrous. Inflorescence lax, 4-8-flowered; rhachis c.5mm; pedicels 10-15mm, sparsely to densely tomentose, with or without glands. Calyx c.2mm, glandular, sometimes also tomentose. Corolla tubular-campanulate, glabrous within, deep pink to deep crimson, with black nectar pouches and few to many flecks, 45-55mm. Ovary glabrous to rufous-tomentose and glandular; style glabrous. Capsule 11-23 x 5-8mm. ** * Rhododendron tanastylum * var. * pennivenium * ** Leaves with a persistent indumentum beneath; pedicels glandular; ovary tomentose and glandular ** * Rhododendron tanastylum * var. * tanastylum * ** Leaves at maturity ± glabrous beneath; pedicels eglandular

Distribution

China (W Yunnan), ne Upper Burma, ne India (Arunachal Pradesh)

Altitude

Habitat

Broad-leaved and pine forests, Rhododendron thickets

Nomenclatural History

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):300