Rhododendron rex (大王杜鹃), the king rhododendron, is a tree species, usually 5–8 m (16–26 ft) in height, in the family Ericaceae. It is found in China, India, and Myanmar, where it is threatened by habitat loss. The flowers are creamy-white, or pale yellow to pink, with a crimson basal blotch. The leaves are 17–27 cm in length and are covered on the underside with an indumentum that ranges in colour from greyish to rusty brown.
| Rhododendron rex | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Rhododendron |
| Species: | R. rex
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| Binomial name | |
| Rhododendron rex | |
The Royal Horticultural Society describes Rhododendron rex and its subspecies as very large shrubs or trees, reaching 12 m (39 ft) in cultivation. Three of them have received the RHS Award of Garden Merit:-
There is a further named subspecies, Rhododendron rex subsp. gratum. All are hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F), but like most rhododendrons they require a sheltered position in dappled shade, and acid soil enriched with leaf mould.
References
edit- ^ World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998). "Rhododendron rex". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1998: e.T32451A9707997. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T32451A9707997.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Rhododendron rex". Retrieved 6 October 2018.
- ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Rhododendron rex subsp. fictolacteum". Retrieved 6 October 2018.
- ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Rhododendron rex subsp. rex". Retrieved 6 October 2018.
External links
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Media related to Rhododendron rex at Wikimedia Commons
- H. Léveillé, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 13: 340. 1914.
- Danish Chapter of ARS
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