Rhododendron rothschildii Davidian

Large shrub or small tree, 5–6 m; bark rough. Leaves 26.5–35 × 10–14 cm, obovate-oblanceolate, upper surface reticulate, lower surface with a dense two-layered indumentum, the upper layer agglutinated, patchy, often red-brown, composed of strongly fimbriate cup-shaped hairs, the lower compacted; petioles flattened and with a marked wing. Flowers 12–17, in a dense truss, 8-lobed, pale yellow, with a purple blotch, obliquely campanulate, nectar pouches lacking, 35–45 mm; stamens 16; ovary densely tomentose. Flowering April-May. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

Distribution  China NW Yunnan

Habitat 3,700–4,000 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H4

Conservation status Vulnerable (VU)