Rhododendron kanehirae E.H.Wilson

Much-branched shrub, 1–2.5 m; young shoots and petioles densely covered with adpressed stiff broad flattened chestnut-brown hairs. Leaves of two kinds; spring leaves deciduous, 2–5 × 0.5–1.5 cm, oblanceolate to narrowly obovate, apex acute, gland-tipped, both surfaces sparsely covered with stiff hairs, especially on midrib; summer leaves persistent, 1.5–3 × 0.2–0.6 cm. Pedicels densely covered with stiff chestnut-brown hairs. Flowers 1(–2) per inflorescence; calyx c.1 mm; corolla pink or carmine to scarlet, funnel-campanulate, 25–40 mm; stamens 10; ovary densely covered with stiff grey or chestnut-brown hairs, style usually glabrous. Flowering March. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

Distribution  Taiwan N

Habitat c.400 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H2

Conservation status Extinct in the wild (EW)