Rhododendron afghanicum Aitch. & Hemsl.

Low shrub, to 0.5 m; young growth scaly and sometimes puberulent. Leaves thick, 4.7–8 × 1.3–2.5 cm, narrowly elliptic to elliptic, apex more or less obtuse, lower surface pale green, with scales 1–2× their diameter apart, translucent, yellowish, upper surface darker, with midrib puberulent below; petioles puberulent. Pedicels densely scaly. Flowers 12–16, in an elongated raceme with a conspicuous rhachis; calyx lobes 4–6 mm; corolla white or greenish white, campanulate, tube 6–8 mm, lobes c.5 mm; stamens 10, regularly arranged; ovary scaly, impressed below the sharply deflexed style. Flowering June. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

Distribution  Afghanistan Near the border between the two countries Pakistan

Habitat 2,000–3,000 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H3

Conservation status Vulnerable (VU)