| Tas. 8206. 
RHODODENDRON Marissii. 
Central China. 
ErrcackArk, Tribe RHoDOREAE. 
Ruopovenpron, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 599. 
Rhododendron (§ Azalea) Mariesii, Hemsl. et E. H. Wilson in Kew Bull. 
1907, p. 244; affinis R. rhombico, Miq., a quo ramulis glabris, foliis ovato- 
lanceolatis pilis longissimis appressis subtus vestitis, squamis latioribus | 
et corolla albo-roseo-maculata differt. 
Frutec 1-2 m, altus, ramis nitidis glabris. Folia ovato-lanceolata, acuta, 
5-7 cm. longa, 2-3°5 cm. lata, basi magis minusve cuneata, juniora. supra 
longe sericeo-pubescentia, subtus parce pubescentia, adulta demum glabra, 
nervis lateralibus utrinque 3-4, inferioribus oblique ascendentibus 
superioribus subpatulis subtus elevatis, venis arcte anastomosantibus; 
petioli 3-8 mm. longi. Gemmae ovoideae, squamis late ovatis vel oblongis 
apiculatis extus apice pubescentibus. Flores saepe geminati (rarius 
ternati), albo-rosei, purpureo-maculati; pedicelli erecti, 0°5-1 cm. longi, 
hispidi. Calyx annularis, dense setosus. Corolla alte 5-lobata, utrinque 
glabra, tubo 5-10 mm. longo, lobis 10-20 mm. longis patulis ellipticis 
obtusis, Stamina 10, breviter exserta, filamentis 2-2°5 cm. longis glabris, 
antheris 2 mm. longis. Ovarium 3-5 mm. longum, ovoideum, dense ~ 
setosum, stylo 3-3°5 em. longo glabro.—R. Farrerae, var. Weyrichii, Diels, 
in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. vol. xxix. p. 513. 
Rhododendron Mariesii is very closely allied to R. rhom- 
bicum, Miq., figured at tab. 6972 of this Magazine, but the 
two species inhabit widely distant regions. R&R. rhombicum, 
which is distinguished from the species here figured by 
having pure lilac flowers without any spots, ovate leaves, 
and hairy branches, has so far only been recorded from 
Japan, where it grows in mountain forests; whereas 
. Mariesii is confined to Central China. 
According to Wilson, R. Mariesii, R. indicum and R. 
sinense are the only species of Rhododendron which occur 
below 4,000 ft. in Central China. Between this altitude 
and 15,000 ft. other species are found in great abundance. 
Descriprion.—Shrub, 3-6 ft. high; branches shining, 
glabrous. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acute, 2-23 in. long, 
#-13 in. broad, more or less wedge-shaped at the base, in 
Juy, 1908. 
