Description

Shrub, 1-3m; young shoots densely tomentose. Leaves coriaceous, obovate to oblong, 3.5-5.5 x 1.5-3cm, 1.6-2.2 x as long as broad, apex rounded and bluntly apiculate to acute, base rounded, upper surface with lamina glabrous though with a persistent indumentum overlying the midrib, lower surface with a dense rufous-tomentose indumentum composed of ramiform hairs; petioles c.lcm, densely tomentose. Inflorescence 3-5-flowered; rhachis 3-5mm; pedicels c.8mm, densely tomentose. Calyx c.2mm, densely tomentose. Corolla open-campanulate, white or pale cream, with a pink flush, or pale pink with crimson flecks, 25-35mm. Ovary densely tomentose. Capsule c. 12 x 4mm.

Distribution

China (S Xizang), NE India (Arunachal Pradesh), ? E Bhutan.

Altitude

Habitat

Mixed forests, rock ledges

Nomenclatural History

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):370