Rhododendron faucium D.F.Chamb.

Shrub or small tree, 1.5–6.5 m; bark smooth; young shoots glabrous. Leaves 7–12 × 2.5–3 cm, oblanceolate, base cuneate, upper surface glabrous, lower surface with a greenish epidermis, papillae lacking, also with a few weak fasciculate hairs near the midrib, and with persistent red punctate hair bases overlying the veins; petioles often winged, 7–15 mm, stalked-glandular. Flowers 5–10, in a lax truss; calyx 3–5 mm; corolla pink, white tinged pink or (rarely) sulphur yellow, with purple flecks, campanulate, with nectar pouches, 37–40 mm; ovary densely stalked-glandular, style glabrous. Flowering April-May. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

Distribution  China SE Tibet

Habitat 2,600–3,350 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H5

Conservation status Least concern (LC)