Rhododendrons

Rhododendron vernicosum
Fortunea group
Epithet: varnished
H3
AM 1964, AM 1976
Shrub/tree: 1 - 7.6m high.
Flowers: 5-10/truss, widely funnel-campanulate, 38-54mm long, white, deep or pale rose, rose-lavender or purplish-red, with or without crimson spots; 7 lobes.
April-May.
Foliage: oblong-elliptic, oblong-oval or oval, 40-135 x 20-56mm; upper surface olive-green or dark green, matt, wax covered becoming glossy when rubbed or heated, glabrous; underside pale glaucous green, glabrous.
Distribution: NW & mid-W Yunnan, W & SW Sichuan, SE Tibet; 2750 - 4500m.