Rhododendron megeratum Balf.f. & Forrest

Small shrub, sometimes epiphytic, 0.3–1 m; young shoots with setae persisting for at least one year. Leaves 2–3.5 × 1.2–2 cm, elliptic to more or less orbicular, apex obtuse, upper surface glabrous except for a few setae at the base of the midrib, lower surface whitish-papillose, with vesicular scales sunk into pits. Pedicels short, more or less lacking scales, covered with setae. Flowers 1–3 per inflorescence; calyx lobes 6–10 mm, obovate; corolla yellow or (rarely) cream, broadly campanulate, 16–23 mm; stamens 10; ovary scaly, tapering into the strongly deflexed style. Flowering March-April. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

Distribution  Myanmar NE China SE Tibet, NW Yunnan India Arunachal Pradesh

Habitat 3,050–4,150 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H4

Awards AM 1935 (Lord Swaythling, Townhill Park, Southampton); flowers deep yellow. AM 1970 (Lord Aberconway and the National Trust, Bodnant); flowers yellow-green.

Conservation status Near threatened (NT)