Rhododendron fuyuanense Zeng H. Yang

This species differs from Rhododendron racemosum in having young branches with scattered, black, glandular scales; leaves elliptic to narrowly elliptic with strongly recurved, ciliate margin and acuminate apex; corolla purplish red; and calyx ciliate.

Shrubs, evergreen, 0.5–2.5 m tall; young branches with scattered black glandular scales. Petiole 2–4 mm, scaly; leaf blade elliptic or narrowly elliptic, 1.2–3.5 × 0.6–1.2 cm; base cuneate; margin strongly revolute, ciliate; apex acuminate, rarely obtuse, sometimes apiculate; abaxial surface gray-green, densely brown scaly; adaxial surface with scattered black scales, midrib conspicuous abaxially, impressed adaxially. Inflorescence axillary or terminal, 3–5-flowered; bud scales many, imbricate. Pedicel slender, 0.6–1.2 cm, densely scaly; calyx 5-lobed, lobes 1–1.5 mm, rounded, scaly, margin ciliate; corolla funnelform, divided to middle, purplish red, 1–1.5 cm, outer surface densely scaly, lobes 5, spreading, orbicular; stamens 10, exserted, filaments densely pilose at base; ovary 5-locular, densely scaly; style longer than stamens, glabrous. Capsule not known. Fl. Mar.

E Yunnan (Fuyuan).

About 2000 m.

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Rhododendron fuyuanense (富源杜鹃) is a rhododendron species native to eastern Yunnan, China, where it grows at altitudes of about 2,000 m (6,600 ft). It is a shrub that grows to 50–250 cm (20–98 in) in height, with leaves that are elliptic or narrowly elliptic, 1.2–3.5 by 0.6–1.2 cm in size. Flowers are purplish red.