Rhododendron pachysanthum

Rhododendron pachysanthum (Chinese: 台湾山地杜鹃; pinyin: Táiwān shāndì dùjuān),[1] the thick-flowered rhododendron,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae, that is native to Taiwan. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) tall and broad. This species is particularly noted for its 9 cm (3.5 in) leaves, which may be heavily felted on both surfaces, red above and brown beneath. In early spring, trusses of pale pink flowers appear, spotted crimson on the inner surface.[2]

Rhododendron pachysanthum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Rhododendron
Species:
R. pachysanthum
Binomial name
Rhododendron pachysanthum

In cultivation in the UK Rhododendron pachysanthum has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2][3] It is hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F) but like most rhododendrons it requires a sheltered spot in dappled shade, and an acid soil enriched with leaf mould.

Synonyms

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  • Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum Hayata
  • Rhododendron f. rufovelutinum T. Yamazaki
  • Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum var. rufovelutinum (T. Yamazaki) T. Yamazaki
  • Rhododendron rufum Batalin var. pachysanthum (Hayata) S. S. Ying.

References

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  1. ^ Mingyuan, Fang; Chamberlain, David F. "Rhododendron pachysanthum". Flora of China. Vol. 14. Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  2. ^ a b c "RHS Plantfinder - Rhododendron pachysanthum". Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  3. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 85. Retrieved 2 October 2018.