Rhododendron sidereum Balf.f.

Shrub or small tree, 3–9 m; bark rough. Leaves (9–)16–23 × 4–6.3 cm, narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, apex acute to rounded and apiculate, lower surface covered with a one-layered buff to silvery, sometimes shining compacted and agglutinated indumentum composed of rosulate hairs; petioles terete. Flowers 12–20 to a truss, cream to clear yellow, sometimes with a red basal blotch, ventricose-campanulate, with nectar pouches, 30–40 mm; stamens c.16; ovary densely rufous-tomentose. Flowering April-May. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

Distribution  Myanmar NE China W Yunnan

Habitat 2,500–3,700 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H3

Awards AM 1964 (National Trust for Scotland, Bridock Castle Gardens) to a clone 'Glen Rosa'; flowers Primrose Yellow, with a dark crimson blotch.

Conservation status Near threatened (NT)