Rhododendrons

Rhododendron rubiginosum Desquamatum Group
Heliolepida subsection
Epithet: bereft of scales
AM 1938 (F24535); AGM 2012
H4
Shrub or tree 1.5-8m high
Flowers: 3-7/truss, widely funnel-shaped or almost saucer-shaped, 30-42mm x 35-60mm, pink, deep rose, purple, lavender, intense bluish-purple or white, with crimson spots.
April-May
Leaves: oblong-lanceolate, ovate-lanceolate, elliptic-lanceolate or lanceolate, 45-125mm x 15-45mm, upper surface olive green or dark green, underside densely scaly, scales dark brown or rust coloured.
Distribution: W and NW Yunnan, SE Tibet, NE Upper Burma, SW Sichuan (2500-4250m)
Not botanically different from R. rubiginosum, but in cultivation the flower has widely open corollas.