Rhododendron lochiae

Rhododendron lochiae is a species of pretty looking shrub plants, one of only two recognised species of the genus found growing naturally in Australia, only in restricted mountain–top cloud forest habitats (endemic) within the tropical rainforests region of north eastern Queensland.[1][2] The other "Rhododendron viriosum" was only formally classified as a separate species in 2002. It is a member of the plant family Ericaceae.[1]

Rhododendron lochiae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Ericales
Family:
Ericaceae
Genus:
Rhododendron
Subgenus:
Rhododendron
Species:
R. lochiae
Binomial name
Rhododendron lochiae

Description

It is a small shrub which has glossy, elliptic leaves. In spring and summer it produces terminal clusters of waxy, red bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is about 5 cm long and 3 cm wide, and occurs in groups of up to six per cluster.

Taxonomy

Rhododendron lochiae was first described by Ferdinand von Mueller in 1887 who gave it the specific epithet lochae in honour of Lady Loch, a patron of horticulture in Australia and wife of the Governor of Victoria .The spelling was later amended to lochiae. The type specimen was collected by William A. Sayer and A. Davidson who came across the species while ascending Mount Bellenden Ker.

It is classified within subgenus Rhododendron, section Vireya, subsection Euvireya.

Forms with a straight corolla tube that were previously included within the species were reclassified by Craven in 2002 as R. viriosum. Presently this segregate species is not recognised and its name has been resumed as a synonym of this R. lochiae.[3] Furthermore, those specimens with a curved corolla tube, at one stage known as R. notiale Craven, remain within the present definition of R. lochiae.[4] Therefore, all Australian plants occurring in the wild are, presently, officially known as R. lochiae.

Hybrids

A large number of hybrids have been produced from R. lochiae crossed with other species in the section Vireya.

Distribution

Rhododendron lochiae occurs in cloud forests on mountain tops in the World Heritage Wet Tropics of north eastern Queensland. It is found in protected situations, often situated in rocky areas with high rainfall and high humidity.

Cultivation

The first record of cultivation related to a specimen which was growing, and subsequently flowering, at Kew Gardens in 1939. Plants require good drainage, constant moisture, good light and a semi-shaded position protected from frost and hot sun.

References
  1. "Rhododendron lochiae F.Muell". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 15 Mar 2013.
  2. Hyland, B. P. M.; Whiffin, T.; Zich, F. A.; et al. (Dec 2010). "Factsheet – Rhododendron lochiae". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (6.1, online version RFK 6.1 ed.). Cairns, Australia: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), through its Division of Plant Industry; the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research; the Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University. Retrieved 15 Mar 2013.
  3. "Rhododendron viriosum Craven". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 15 Mar 2013.
  4. "Rhododendron notiale Craven". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 15 Mar 2013.
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