Rhododendron rex

Rhododendron rex (大王杜鹃), the king rhododendron, is a tree species, usually 5–7 meters in height, in the family Ericaceae. It is found in China, India, and Myanmar, where it is threatened by habitat loss. Flowers are creamy-white, or pale yellow to pink, with a crimson basal blotch. Leaves are 17–27 cm in length and are covered on the underside with indumentum that ranges in colour from greyish to rusty brown.

Rhododendron rex
Scientific classification
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R. rex
Binomial name
Rhododendron rex
H. Lév.

The Royal Horticultural Society describes Rhododendron rex and its subspecies as very large shrubs or trees, reaching 12 m (39 ft) in cultivation. Three of them have received the RHS Award of Garden Merit:-

  • R. rex[1]
  • R. rex subsp. fictolacteum[2]
  • R. rex subsp. rex[3]

There is a further named subspecies, R. rex subsp. gratum. All are hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F), but like most rhododendrons they require a sheltered position in dappled shade, and acid soil enriched with leaf mould.

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