Rhododendron pachysanthum

Rhododendron pachysanthum (Chinese: 台湾山地杜鹃; pinyin: Táiwān shāndì dùjuān),^[1] the thick-flowered rhododendron,^[2] is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae, that is native to Taiwan. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) tall and broad. This species is particularly noted for its 9 cm (3.5 in) leaves, which may be heavily felted on both surfaces, red above and brown beneath. In early spring, trusses of pale pink flowers appear, spotted crimson on the inner surface.^[2]

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

In cultivation in the UK Rhododendron pachysanthum has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.^[2][3] It is hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F) but like most rhododendrons it requires a sheltered spot in dappled shade, and an acid soil enriched with leaf mould.

Synonyms

• Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum Hayata
• Rhododendron f. rufovelutinum T. Yamazaki
• Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum var. rufovelutinum (T. Yamazaki) T. Yamazaki
• Rhododendron rufum Batalin var. pachysanthum (Hayata) S. S. Ying.