Rhododendron nitidulum Rehder & E.H.Wilson

Erect or ascending much-branched low shrub, to 1.3 m. Leaves 0.5–1.1 × 0.3–0.7 cm, ovate to elliptic, apex obtuse or rounded, mucro absent or obscure, base widening abruptly from the petiole, lower surface covered with uniformly fawn, golden-centred touching scales sometimes also with scattered darker scales. Flowers 1–2 per inflorescence; calyx (1.5–)2.5–3 mm, lobes strap-shaped, rounded; corolla rosy-lilac to violet-purple, funnel-shaped, outer surface without scales, 12–15 mm; stamens (8–)10, more or less equalling the corolla; ovary lepidote, style exceeding the stamens, sometimes pubescent at base. Flowering April-May. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

Distribution  China Sichuan

Habitat 3,200–5,000 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H7

Conservation status Near threatened (NT)