Description

Shrub (0-6-)2-8(-ll)m. Leaves (38-)44-62(-88) x (16-)20-25(-28) mm, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, rarely elliptic, acute to acuminate at the apex,, cuneate-rounded at base, upper surface usually elepidote, midrib usually puberulous; margins with loriform cilia, at least when young; lower surface shining, white-papillose with distant, flat, large, rimless golden scales. Inflorescences 1-4-fIowered, pedicels lepidote, (8-)12-15(-19) mm. Calyx very small, scarcely lobed to undulate, often loriform- and/or filiform-acicular-ciliate. Corolla white, white flushed pink or lavender, (27-)30-40(-44) mm, tube (14-)18-23 mm, sparsely lepidote and usually puberulous, at least at the base of the tube outside, pubescent inside. Capsule lepidote, oblcfhg-cylindric, 10 mm or more.

Distribution

N Burma, China (NW, W Si SW Yunnan)

Altitude

Habitat

Scrub, thickets and forest margins, 1800-3000(-3500) m

Nomenclatural History

R. erileucum Balfour f. & Forrest, Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 12:108 (1920). Type: China, W Yunnan, Shweli/Salween Divide, 9-10000 ft, v-vi 1918, Forrest 17593 (holo. E)

Notes

References

Cullen, J. (1980) A Revision of Rhododendron 1: Subgenus Rhododendron sections Rhododendron & Pogonanthum. Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 39(1):63