Rhododendron glischroides Tagg & Forrest

Shrub, 1.3–4.5 m; young shoots setose-glandular. Leaves herbaceous, 8–11 × 2.8–5 cm, elliptic to oblanceolate, apex cuspidate, upper surface rugulose, with deeply impressed veins, lower surface setose, especially on the veins, usually also with a thin whitish arachnoid tomentum on the veins. Flowers 7–12, in a lax truss; calyx 5–10 mm; corolla white or pale rose, with purple flecks and a basal blotch, campanulate, nectar pouches lacking, 30–40 mm; ovary densely covered with stalked glands. Flowering April-May. Royal Horticultural Society (1997).

Distribution  Myanmar NE China W Yunnan

Habitat 2700–3350 m asl.

RHS Hardiness Rating H4

Awards AM 1990 (E. de Rothschild, Exbury) to a clone 'Glister'; trusses loosely borne with up to 12 flowers, corolla white with central part and lobe of each section flushed red-purple with a darker chocolate purple blotch in upper throat.

Conservation status Data deficient (DD)