Rhododendron tapetiforme Balf.f. & Kingdon-Ward

A low matted, prostrate or rounded shrub, to 0.9 m. Leaves 0.4–1.2(–1.7) × (0.2–)0.3–1 cm, broadly elliptic to rotund, apex obtuse or rounded, mucro absent or minute, lower surface covered with uniformly rufous touching scales. Flowers 1–3(–4) per inflorescence; calyx to 2 mm, lobes, when present, rounded or deltoid; corolla purplish or violet to rose, exceptionally yellow, broadly funnel-shaped, 9–16 mm; stamens 10, rarely 5–6, about as long corolla; ovary scaly, style usually longer than stamens, glabrous or (rarely) puberulous at base. Flowering April. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

Distribution  Myanmar NE China NW Yunnan, SE Tibet

Habitat 3,500–4,600 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H6

Conservation status Least concern (LC)