Rhododendron × sheilae (Sleumer) Argent

Shrub to 2 m, terrestrial; stems finely scaly at first. Leaves 1.5–4 × 0.4–1.3 cm, narrowly elliptic, the apex rounded or slightly retuse, the margin reflexed and minutely crenulate, the base narrowly tapering; upper surface finely scaly at first but quickly glabrescent, midrib impressed, lateral veins 4–5 pairs, inconspicuous; lower surface with the midrib raised, lateral veins inconspicuous. Flowers 3–6 per umbel, horizontal to half-hanging; calyx a low scaly ring; corolla reddish purple, 2.5–3.2 × 1.7–2.4 cm, sparsely scaly and finely white-hairy outside; stamens 10 distributed around the mouth of the flower; ovary densely white-hairy and obscurely scaly, style glabrous. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

Distribution  Malaysia Sabah. Kinabalu, east ridge

Habitat 3,200–3,700 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H2

Taxonomic note (R. abietifolium Sleumer × R. buxifolium Low ex Hooker f.) Royal Horticultural Society (1997)