RHODODENDRON PUMILUM, ‘oor. ju. 
Dwarf Rhododendron. 
Tas. XIV. 
Fruticulus humilis laxe ramosus, ramulis foliis subter petiolis pedunculis calycibus ovariisque lepidotis, foliis parvis brevi-petiolatis lato- 
cllipticis coriaceis apiculatis superne glaberrimis subter precipue glaucis, pedunculis solitariis 2-8-nis clongatis erectis strictis, flore 
Jat 1 
extus p 
inclinato, calycis lobis ovatis obtusis, corolle rosex tubo elongato, limbi lobis brevibus rotundatis 
integris, staminibus 10 inclusis, filamentis rectis basi hispidis, stylo rectiusculo, stigmate capitato, capsula in pedunculum magis 
clongatum erecta ovata 5-loculari calycem persistentem multoties superante. 
Has. Sikkim-Himalaya; on alpine slopes among ericaceous vegetation, rare; about the Zemu and ‘Vhlonok rivers. JV. June. 
The smallest of all the Sikkim Rhododendrons : its slender woody stem roots among moss, Axdromeda fastigiata, &c., 
ascends obliquely, and bears a few somewhat spreading dichotomous branches, three to four inches in length, rising above 
the surrounding vegetation. Leaves chiefly from the upper ends of the branches, half to three-quarters of an inch long, 
broadly elliptical, rigid, mucronate, smooth and naked and bright bluish-green above, below lepidote, as is the short 
petiole, and glaucous. Bracts of the flower-buds coriaceous, smooth and downy, and, as is usual in the lepidote species, 
quite destitute of glands or squamule. Peduncles moderately slender, erect, one to three from the apex of the branches, and 
rising an inch and a half above the base of the superior leaves, firm and woody, much clongated, and strict to the very apex 
in fruit. Hower inclined or almost drooping. Calyz-lobes rather short, but somewhat leafy in texture, reddish-brown, 
scaly, particularly towards the base. Corolla half to three-quarters of an inch long, rose-colour, campanulate, very delicate, 
externally all over down, and obscurely glandular: the ube rather broad, the Jimd of five, nearly equal, moderately 
spreading roundish Jodes, which are quite entire. Stamens ten, included: Jilaments nearly straight, hispid at the base. 
Ovary ovate, densely lepidote, five-celled. Style rather short, thickened upwards. Stigma capitate, obscurely five-lobed. 
Capsule perfectly erect on the elongated strict peduncle, three-quarters of an inch long, large for the size of the plant, 
ovate, red-brown, five-valved. 
Although the smallest among the Sikkim-Himalayan Rhododendrons, it is an extremely elegant species, and 
apparently of very rare occurrence: for I have never gathered it but twice, and cach time in the wild district above indicated, 
where its elegant flowers are produced soon after the snow has melted: and then its pretty pink bells are seen peeping 
above the surrounding short heath-like vegetation, reminding the botanist of those of Linnea borealis. 
It yields a faint and agreeable odour, like that of 2. glaeum, to which this has many points of resemblance. 
Tas. XIV. Rhododendron pumilum. Fig. 1. Upper side of a leaf. 2. Under side. 3. Flower. 4. Stamen. 5. Calyx and _pistil. 
6. Transverse section of ovary :—magnified. 
