Rhododendron calophytum

Rhododendron calophytum, the beautiful-face rhododendron,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae that is native to the forests of central and eastern China, where it lives at altitudes of 1,400–4,000 m (4,600–13,100 ft).[2] Growing to 12 m (39 ft) tall and 8 m (26 ft) broad, it is a substantial evergreen shrub. The leathery leaves are narrow and up to 30 cm (12 in) long. In early Spring trusses of bell-shaped, white or pale pink flowers, spotted with maroon inside, are produced.[3]

Rhododendron calophytum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Rhododendron
Species:
R. calophytum
Binomial name
Rhododendron calophytum

In cultivation in the UK, Rhododendron calophytum has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[1][4] Like most rhododendrons it prefers an acid soil. It is hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F).

Lower taxa
  • Rhododendron calophytum var. calophytum
  • Rhododendron calophytum subsp. jinfuense Fang ex M.Y. Fang
  • Rhododendron calophytum var. jinfuense Fang & W.K. Hu
  • Rhododendron calophytum var. openshawianum (Rehder & E.H. Wilson) D.F. Chamb.
  • Rhododendron calophytum var. pauciflorum W.K. Hu[5]

References
  1. "RHS Plantfinder - Rhododendron calophytum". Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  2. "Rhododendron calophytum". Flora of China. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  3. Brickell, Christopher, ed. (2008). The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 890. ISBN 9781405332965.
  4. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 85. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  5. "Rhododendron calophytum Franch". Tropicos. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
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