Tan. 8529. 
RHODODENDRON wnicropuncratum. 
! China. 
: ERICACEAE. Tribe RHopoREAE. 
_ Ruopopenpron, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen, Plant. vol. ii. p. 599. 
Rhododendron nigropunctatum, Bur. e¢ Franch. in Morot, Journ. de Bot.’ 
* vol. xxxiv. (1891), p. 95; Hemsi. in Kew Bull, 1910, p. 118;  affinis. 
R. intricato, Franch., sed corymbis 1-2-floris, calycis lobis longioribus, 
antheris et stylis longe exsertis differt. 
Frutex parvus densissime ramosus; rami graciles, nigro-squamosi; ramuli 
juniores foliati, breves, squamis aureis instructis. Folia persistentia, 
elliptica vel obovata, apice obtusa vel rotundata, basi subcuneata, cum 
petiolo 0-5-1 cm. longa, 3-6 mm. lata, crassa, utrinque densissime lepidota. 
Perulue ciliatae, exteriores suborbiculares, interiores oblanceolatae, extra : 
superne lepidotae. Corymbi terminales, 1-2-flori. Flores subsessiles, pallide 
purpurei, 2.cm. diametro. Calycis lobi oblongi, apice rotundati, ad 2 mm, 
longi, superne parce ciliati, extra lepidoti. Corollae tubus brevis, intus 
_ gsuperne villosus; lobi subaequales, ovati, apice rotundati, patentes, glabri. 
' Stamina 9-11; filamenta basin versus albo-villosa; antherae longe 
exsertae, fulvae, vix 2 mm. longae. Ovariwm dense lepidotum; stylus 
filamentis aequilongus, glaber, stigmate incrassato.—J. HuTcHinson. 
The almost pygmy Rhododendron here figured is one 
that occurs on grass lands on the mountains of Szechuan in 
Western China at elevations of from 10,000 to 15,000 ft., 
where it was collected by Mr. E. H. Wilson on behalf of 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons. It had, however, already been 
met with by French travellers and was first described from 
their specimens. The plant from which our figure was 
made was obtained from Messrs. Veitch in 1910, and although 
then eight years old was still only some ten inches in height. 
It is very closely allied to another Chinese species, 4. 
intricatum, Franch., of which a figure has been given at 
t. 8163 of this work. There are, however, several differ- 
ences which serve to separate the two species, and of these 
the more obvious are the longer calyx-lobes and the 
further exserted anthers and stigma of /. nigropunctatum. 
Being one of the dwarfest and neatest of Rhododendrons, 
R. nigropunctatum is a charming plant for a moist nook 
in the Rock Garden. It requires a peaty sandy soil, and 
can be propagated by means of cuttings placed in gentle 
heat in August. 
DrEcEmBER, 1913. 
