Rhododendron cowanianum Davidian, Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 21:99 (1952). Type: Nepal, Langtang lateral valley, 3650 m, Polunin 175 (holo. BM, iso. E).
Ic.: Stainton, Forests of Nepal t. 99 (1972).
Deciduous shrub, 0.3-2.3 m. Shoots pale brown, glabrous, ± elepidote. Leaves thin, oblong elliptic, broadly elliptic or obovate, 42-65 x 22-30 mm, margins loriform ciliate, upper surface dark green, lepidote, filiform-acicular pubescent along the veins, lower surface pale green, lepidote with distant, pale brown, broadly rimmed scales. Inflorescences 3-6 flowered, pedicels 10-20 mm, lepidote and sparsely puberulent. Calyx lobes reddish, lepidote, glabrous or rarely with a few short loriform cilia, 4-6 mm. Corolla purplish pink, 14-20 mm, very sparsely lepidote outside. Stamens 10. Ovary lepidote. Capsule ovoid cylindric, lepidote, 8-11 mm.
Distribution: central Nepal. Open slopes in forest, 3200-3950 m.
A distinct species of rather uncertain affinities. It was originally placed in subsection Trichoclada (Trichocladum series) because of its deciduous leaves, but it differs from that group in scale type and inflorescence and is more closely allied to Rhododendron lepidotum.
Rhododendron cowanianum is a deciduous shrub endemic to Nepal, known for its pink to mauve bell-shaped flowers and occurrence in high-altitude forests.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.