Rhododendron selense (多变杜鹃) is a rhododendron species native to southwestern Sichuan, eastern Xizang, and western Yunnan in China, where it grows at altitudes of 2,700–4,000 m (8,900–13,100 ft). It is an evergreen shrub that grows to 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) in height, with leaves that are oblong-elliptic or obovate to elliptic, 4–8 by 2–4 cm in size. The flowers are pink.
| Rhododendron selense | |
|---|---|
| |
| Rhododendron selense ssp. jucundum | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Rhododendron |
| Species: | R. selense
|
| Binomial name | |
| Rhododendron selense | |
| Subspecies | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Of R. selense subsp. dasycladum:[1]
Of R. selense subsp. jucundum:[2]
Of R. selense subsp. selense:[3]
| |
It is best seen in its native habitat, where many thousands of plants can be seen flowering during April and May. In cultivation it takes several years to flower.[4]
Taxonomy edit
Rhododendron selense was first described by Adrien René Franchet in 1898.[5]
Subspecies edit
Three subspecies are recognized:[5]
- Rhododendron selense subsp. dasycladum (Balf.f. & W.W.Sm.) D.F.Chamb.
- Rhododendron selense subsp. jucundum (Balf.f. & W.W.Sm.) D.F.Chamb.
- Rhododendron selense subsp. selense
Conservation edit
In 1998, Rhododendron dasycladum was assessed as "vulnerable" and said to be an endemic of a single mountain in Yunnan, China.[6] As of February 2023[update], this species is regarded one of the synonyms of Rh. selense subsp. dasycladum, which has a much wider distribution in eastern Tibet, southwestern Sichuan and northwestern Yunnan.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b "Rhododendron selense subsp. dasycladum (Balf.f. & W.W.Sm.) D.F.Chamb." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
- ^ "Rhododendron selense subsp. jucundum (Balf.f. & W.W.Sm.) D.F.Chamb." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
- ^ "Rhododendron selense subsp. selense". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
- ^ "Rhododendron selense". Trees and Shrubs Online. International Dendrology Society. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ a b "Rhododendron selense Franch." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
- ^ World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998). "Rhododendron jucundum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1998: e.T32450A9707924. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T32450A9707924.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- "Rhododendron selense", Franchet, J. Bot. (Morot). 12: 257. 1898.
- Flora of China
- Hirsutum.com
 | This Ericaceae article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |