Description

Shrub or small tree, 0.6-8m; young shoots glandular to glabrous. Leaves narrowly obovate to broadly ovate, 6-11 x 2.3-6cm, 1.5-2.5 x as long as broad, apex rounded, acuminate, base cordate, upper and lower surfaces glabrous, glaucous or green below; petioles 1-3.5cm, glabrous or stipitate-glandular. Inflorescence 5—10(— 15)-flowered; rhachis c.5mm; pedicels 1.5 -5cm, glandular. Calyx 5-15mm, when well-developed ± cupular, lobes rounded, glandular-ciliate. Corolla saucer-shaped, white to sulphur yellow, with or without a purple basal blotch, 25-40mm. Ovary stipitate-glandular; style glandular to tip. Capsule 20-25 x 5-10mm, straight or curved. ** * Rhododendron wardii * var. * puralbum * ** Corolla white ** * Rhododendron wardii * var. * wardii * ** Corolla yellow

Distribution

China (SE Xizang, NW Yunnan, SW Sichuan)

Altitude

Habitat

Rhododendron thickets, pine forests, open places, etc.

Nomenclatural History

Notes

References

Chamberlain, D.F. (1982) A Revision of Rhododendron II. Subgenus Hymenanthes. Notes From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(2):265