Rhododendrons

Rhododendron viriosum
Vireya Subgenus:
Euvireya Section
Euvireya Subsection
Epithet: robust, in recognition of its dominance when used in hybridising.
Introduced into cultivation: 1939 at Kew.
Flowers: up to 7 per open umbel, funnel-shaped, 50-58 x 50-58mm, red or deep pink, without scent,
tube 30-35 x 9-11 x 16-20mm.
Aug - Mar
Foliage: elliptic to broadly elliptic or obovate, 25-110 x 10-70mm, 2-6 in tight pseudowhorls.
Tree or shrub to 3m, epiphytic or terrestrial.
Distribution (910-1330m):
Australia:
N. Queensland: Mt. Finnigan, Thornton Peak, Mt. Windsor Tableland &
Main Coast Range
This is justifiably one of the most famous vireyas in cultivation. It will flower very freely even when very small and does not rapidly grow into a large plant, especially when confined in a pot
R. viriosum was described in late 2002 and includes all forms of the species previously known as R. lochiae with a straight corolla tube. Plants with a curved tube that were given the name R. notiale in 1996 now revert to the name R. lochiae.