Rhododendrons

Rhododendron griffithianum
Ponticum subsection
Epithet: after W.Griffith (1810-1845),a former superintendent of Calcutta Botanic Garden.
FCC 1866 (Standish, Ascot) as R.griffithia
H2/3
Height: 1 - 15m
Flowers: lax racemose umbel of 3-6 flowers, widely campanulate, 50-83 x 65-150mm, white or white suffused with pink, 5-lobed, fragrant.
April - May
Foliage: oblong, oblong-elliptic or oblong-oval, 100-300 x 35-100mm; upper surface bright green or pale green, matt, glabrous; underside pale, glaucous green, glabrous.
Distribution: E.Nepal, Bhutan, Assam, 1800-2900m.
Recognise by: bark is distinct - a shiny mahogany not usually transmitted to hybrids.