Rhododendron selense

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 Edit this 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

See text.

Synonyms

Of R. selense subsp. dasycladum:[1]

  • Rhododendron dasycladum Balf.f. & W.W.Sm.
  • Rhododendron dolerum Balf.f. & Forrest
  • Rhododendron rhaibocarpum Balf.f. & W.W.Sm.

Of R. selense subsp. jucundum:[2]

  • Rhododendron jucundum Balf.f. & W.W.Sm.
  • Rhododendron blandulum Balf.f. & W.W.Sm.

Of R. selense subsp. selense:[3]

  • Rhododendron axium Balf.f. & Forrest
  • Rhododendron chalarocladum Balf.f. & Forrest
  • Rhododendron metrium Forrest
  • Rhododendron nanothamnum Balf.f. & Forrest
  • Rhododendron pagophyllum Balf.f. & Kingdon-Ward
  • Rhododendron probum Balf.f. & Forrest

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

Rhododendron selense was first described by Adrien René Franchet in 1898.[5]

Subspecies

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

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, 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
  1. "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.
  2. "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.
  3. "Rhododendron selense subsp. selense". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  4. "Rhododendron selense". Trees and Shrubs Online. International Dendrology Society. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  5. "Rhododendron selense Franch." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  6. 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.


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