Rhododendron racemosum

Rhododendron racemosum, the racemose rhododendron[2] (Chinese: 杜鹃; pinyin: yèhuā dùjuān),[3] is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae, native to forest and grassland at 1,500–3,500 m (4,900–11,500 ft) in northwestern Guizhou, southwestern Sichuan, and Yunnan, China.[3]

Rhododendron racemosum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Rhododendron
Species:
R. racemosum
Binomial name
Rhododendron racemosum
Synonyms
  • Rhododendron crenatum H.Lév.
  • Rhododendron motsouense H.Lév.

Description

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It is an upright evergreen shrub growing to 2 m (6.6 ft) tall by 1.5 m (4.9 ft) broad. In early spring it bears masses of pale or deep pink trumpet-shaped flowers, each with up to 10 prominent stamens.[2]

Cultivation

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In cultivation in the UK Rhododendron racemosum and the cultivar 'Rock Rose'[4] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2][5] It is hardy down to −20 °C (−4 °F) but like most rhododendrons it requires a sheltered spot in dappled shade, and an acid soil enriched with leaf mould.

Etymology

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Racemosum means "bearing inflorescences in racemes".[6]

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References

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  1. ^ "Ericaceae Rhododendron racemosum Franch". International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "RHS Plantfinder - Rhododendron racemosum". Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  3. ^ a b Fang, Ruizheng; Chamberlain, David F. "Rhododendron racemosum". Flora of China. Vol. 14. Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  4. ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Rhododendron racemosum 'Rock Rose'". Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  5. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 85. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  6. ^ Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521866453 (hardback), ISBN 9780521685535 (paperback). p 325