Rhododendron polylepis Franch.

Shrub or small tree, 1–6 m; young growth scaly. Leaves 5–10 × 1.5–3 cm, narrowly elliptic, apex acute to rounded, upper surface scaly or not, glabrous, lower surface covered with dark to yellowish brown overlapping large flaky scales. Flowers 3–4, in a loose terminal inflorescence; calyx minute, usually not ciliate; corolla purple, zygomorphic, widely funnel-shaped, 25–30 mm, outer surface scaly; stamens 10; ovary scaly, pubescent at apex, impressed below the declinate, glabrous style. Flowering April-June. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

Distribution  China W Sichuan

Habitat 2,000–3,000 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H5

Conservation status Least concern (LC)