ERICACEAE. — RHODODENDRON 529 
Rhododendron Thayerianum Rehder & Wilson, n. sp. 
Frutex 3-4-metralis, ramulis erassiusculis puberulis plerumque ab- 
breviatis foliis congestis; perulae per plures annos persistentes, oblongae 
v. oblongo-spathulatae v. lanceolatae, acutae v. obtusae v. apiculatae, 
1-2 em. longae, glabrae v. extus sericeae, brunneae. Folia coriacea, 
anguste oblanceolata, cuneata, acuminata, 8-13 cm. longa et 1.5-3 em. 
lata, supra laete viridia, nitidula, leviter elevato-reticulata, subtus 
tomento crustaceo pallide brunneo denso obtecta, costa media supra 
impressa subtus elevata fere glabra, nervis utrinsecus 10-12 obsoletis 
interdum supra leviter impressis; petioli crassiusculi, initio sparse 
glandulosi demum glabri, 1-1.5 em. longi. Flores 10-15, racemosi; 
thachis elongata, satis gracilis, 3-3.5 cm. longa, sparse stipitato- 
glandulosa ut pedicelli graciles, 4-5 cm. longi; bracteae oblongo-spa- 
thulatae v. oblongae, 1-2.5 em. longae, extus sericeae ad maturitatem 
fructus persistentes; calyx cupularis, lobis inaequalibus semiorbicu- 
laribus 1.5-2 mm. longis glandulosis; corolla infundibuliformis, 
5-lobata, 2.5-3 cm. longa et 3-3.5 em. diam., lobis inaequalibus cir- 
citer 1.5 cm. longis rotundatis; stamina 8-10, corollam fere aequantia, 
filamentis 2-2.5 cm. longis compressis in dimidio inferiore floccoso- 
villosis; ovarium elongatun, glandulosum; stylus rectus, circiter 2.5 em. 
longus, dense glandulosus, stigmate magno applanato. Capsula cylin- 
drica, 2-3 em. longa et circiter 6 mm. diam., 6-8-loeularis, glandulosa; 
semina anguste oblonga, 3-4 mm. longa, pallide brunnea, utrinque alata. 
Western Szech'uan: Mupin, woodlands, alt. 3000 m., October 
1910 (No. 4273). 
. This is a remarkably distinct species differing from all allied species in its per- 
sistent bud-scales densely covering the leafy shoots. The leaves are crowded and 
the inflorescerice and ovary are very glandular. In its dun-colored, crustaceous 
tomentum this new species resembles R. longipes Rehder & Wilson, which is, 
owever, readily distinguished by its differently shaped flowers and leaves, de- 
ciduous bud-scales and bracts, glabrous non-glandular stamens and style. Our 
M are in ripe fruit with a few old flowers adherent to the glandular 
This species is named for the Thayer family of Lancaster, Massachusetts, 
Prominent in hortieulture and generous in its support of the explorations in China 
undertaken by the Arnold Arboretum. 
Group b. 
.Leaves with a woolly or sometimes nearly scurfy brownish tomentum on the 
midrib beneath, otherwise glabrous or villose when young. 
Rhododendron longesquamatum Schneider, IU. Handb. Laubholzk. 
II. 483 (1909), 1045 (1912). 
