Rhododendron hooglandii Sleumer

Shrub to 2.5 m, terrestrial or epiphytic; young stems densely set with golden brown, stalked scales, warty and rough to the touch. Leaves 3–5.5 × 0.2–0.6 cm, linear, the apex subacute to obtuse, the margin very strongly revolute, the base narrowly tapering; the upper surface densely covered with golden brown scales initially, becoming glabrescent but remaining scabrous with the persistent scale bases, midrib impressed, lateral veins obscure; lower surface with the midrib prominently raised, lateral veins obscure, the surface covered in the rather persistent stellate scales. Flowers 1–2 per umbel, horizontal or semi-erect; calyx a densely scaly, 5-lobed disc; corolla pinkish red or cream, cylindrical, 2.8–3.5 × 1.2–1.6 cm, densely golden brown-scaly outside; stamens 10, held on the upper side of the mouth of the flower; ovary densely scaly, the style mostly glabrous but with just a few scales at the base. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

Distribution  Indonesia Irian Jaya Papua New Guinea

Habitat 3,000–3,400 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H2

Conservation status Data deficient (DD)