Description

Dwarf shrub, 0.3 —1.5m; young shoots tomentose, sometimes very sparsely so, esetose to strongly setose. Leaves elliptic, 3.5—5(—8) x 1.2(-3)cm, 2.8-3.5 x as long as broad, apex rounded, apiculate, base ± rounded, upper surface glabrous, lower surface glabrous or with the remains of a whitish floccose indumentum, especially on the midrib and main veins, lower epidermis ± glaucous-papillate; petioles 0.5-l(-1.5)cm, tomentose, usually also setose. Inflorescence 2-6-flowered, lax or dense; rhachis c.5mm; pedicels 10—20mm, tomentose. Calyx 2-5mm, lobes rounded, ciliate, otherwise glabrous. Corolla fleshy, tubular-campanulate (sometimes ? campanulate), white to pink, yellow or carmine to deep crimson, 35-45mm. Ovary tomentose, sometimes with a few glands. Capsule up to 15 x 7mm. ** * Rhododendron temenium * var. * dealbatum * ** Young shoots and pedicels tomentose, usually also weakly setose and stipitate-glandular; leaves glabrous beneath at maturity; inflorescence 2—4-flowered, lax; corolla 25—45mm, white to deep rose-pink; ovary tomentose. ** * Rhododendron temenium * var. * gilvum * ** Young shoots and pedicels strongly setose; leaves glabrous or with the remains of a whitish indumentum beneath, particularly on the midrib and main veins; inflorescence dense; corolla 30-35(-40)mm, yellow, sometimes faintly flushed red; ovary tomentose. ** * Rhododendron temenium * var. * temenium * ** Young shoots and pedicels strongly glandular to eglandular-setose; leaves glabrous beneath; inflorescence dense; corolla c.40mm, carmine to crimson; ovary tomentose with at most only a few glands.

Distribution

China (borders of SE Xizang & NW Yunnan)

Altitude

Habitat

Moorland, cliff ledges, amongst scrub

Nomenclatural History

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):404