Rhododendron calophytum, the beautiful-face rhododendron,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae that is native to the forests of central and eastern China, where it lives at altitudes of 1,400–4,000 m (4,600–13,100 ft).[2] Growing to 12 m (39 ft) tall and 8 m (26 ft) broad, it is a substantial evergreen shrub. The leathery leaves are narrow and up to 30 cm (12 in) long. In early Spring trusses of bell-shaped, white or pale pink flowers, spotted with maroon inside, are produced.[3]
| Rhododendron calophytum | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Rhododendron |
| Species: | R. calophytum
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| Binomial name | |
| Rhododendron calophytum | |
In cultivation in the UK, Rhododendron calophytum has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[1][4] Like most rhododendrons it prefers an acid soil. It is hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F).
Lower taxa
edit- Rhododendron calophytum var. calophytum
- Rhododendron calophytum subsp. jinfuense Fang ex M.Y. Fang
- Rhododendron calophytum var. jinfuense Fang & W.K. Hu
- Rhododendron calophytum var. openshawianum (Rehder & E.H. Wilson) D.F. Chamb.
- Rhododendron calophytum var. pauciflorum W.K. Hu[5]
References
edit- ^ a b "RHS Plantfinder - Rhododendron calophytum". Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ "Rhododendron calophytum". Flora of China. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ Brickell, Christopher, ed. (2008). The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 890. ISBN 9781405332965.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 85. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ "Rhododendron calophytum Franch". Tropicos. Retrieved 3 October 2018.