Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 5:213 (1912).
Verified by:
Large shrub or small tree, 2—10m. Leaves oblanceolate to elliptic or oblong, (8—)14—22 x (3.3-)4.5-6.5cm, 2.3-4.6 x as long as broad, apex rounded to acute, apiculate to acuminate, base rounded to cuneate, upper surface glabrous when mature, lower surface with a unistrate to bistrate silvery indumentum, the upper layer (when present) composed of dendroid hairs, ± floccose, the lower layer compacted, also with scattered stipitate glands, especially near the midrib; petioles 1-2.5cm, with a whitish agglutinated tomentum intermixed with a few glands. Inflorescence 6-30-flowered; rhachis 5-10mm; pedicels 20-30mm, slender, sparsely dendroid-tomentose, also with a few glands. Calyx c.lmm, lobes rounded, glabrous. Corolla campanulate, white to pale pink, with crimson flecks and usually also a purple blotch, 30-35mm. Ovary glabrous. Capsule 25-45 x 4-5mm, strongly curved.
China (NW Yunnan, SE Xizang, SW Sichuan)
Open rocky slopes, Rhododendron thickets, coniferous forests
R. mombeigii Rehder & Wilson in Sargent (ed.), PL Wilsonianae 1: 536 (1913). Type: China, W Yunnan, Tse-kou, valley of the Upper Mekong River, Mombeig 16 (iso. K). R. niphargum Balfour f. &Kingdon-Ward, Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 10:125 (1917). Type: China, Yunnan, Bei-ma-chan, 12000-13000ft, vi 1913, Kingdon- Ward 324 (holo. E). R. dendritrichum Balfour f. & Forrest, Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 12: 103 (1920). Type: China, W NW Yunnan, Mekong/Salween divide, 12-13000ft, iii 1918, Forrest 16366 (holo. E).
Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):368