380 RHODODENDRON 



R. SMIRNOWI, Trautvetter. 



(Bot. Mag., t. 7495.) 



A sturdy evergreen shrub, 4 to 6 ft. high in cultivation, usually wider than 

 it is high, but described in a wild state as a tree-like shrub 15 to 20 ft. high ; 

 young shoots thick, and clothed with a soft white felt. Leaves narrowly 

 oblong, tapered at the base, blunt at the apex ; 3 to 6 ins. long, i to 2 ins. 

 wide ; thick and leathery, dark green, soon becoming smooth above ; lower 

 surface covered with a thick, soft felt, at first almost pure white, finally pale 

 brown ; stalk \ to f in. long. Flowers bright purplish rose, 2 to 3 ins. across, 

 produced during May in fine trusses 5 or 6 ins. through ; corolla broadly 

 funnel-shaped, the five rounded lobes with beautifully frilled margins ; calyx 

 very small, with five rounded lobes ; flower-stalks I to \\ ins. long, slightly 

 downy. 



Native of the South > Caucasus, where it was discovered by Baron Ungern- 

 Sternberg in 1885, and introduced to Kew the following year. The species 

 is distinct because of the very thick white felt on the lower surface of the 

 leaf, resembling in this respect R. Ungerni (g.v.} and R. niveum. It is a 

 very hardy species, and should be given a trial where only the hardiest ever- 

 greens thrive. By hybridisation it may produce a useful race of very hardy 

 varieties. 



R. SOULIEI, Franchet. 



(Gardeners' Chronicle, 1909, i., fig. 167 (and supplement).) 



An evergreen bush, 3 to 8 ft. high ; young shoots, purplish, they and 

 flower-stalks glandular and viscid. Leaves 2 to 3^ ins. long, i to 2 ins. wide ; 

 broadly ovate, with a heart-shaped base and a blunt, glandular tip ; of a 

 distinct glaucous, somewhat metallic hue, quite smooth on both surfaces ; 

 stalk glandular when young, J to f in. long. Flowers in a terminal cluster 

 (about six on each) of a lovely pale shade of rose, 2 to 3 ins. in diameter ; 

 the corolla very open and saucer-shaped, five- or six-lobed ; calyx about -g- in. 

 across, with five unequal, oblong blunt lobes, purplish green, thickly clothed 

 outside and on the margins with dark glands ; stamens eight to ten ; ovary 

 and style glandular ; flower-stalks i-^ to 2 ins. long. 



Native of W. China ; introduced by Wilson for Messrs Veitch in 1905, 

 from near Tatien-lu, where, at altitudes of 9000 to 10,000 ft., it is found 

 entirely covering large areas. It flowers in early and mid-May, and com- 

 mences to bloom at four years old from seed. Apparently very hardy and a 

 charming addition to cultivated rhododendrons ; distinct on account of its 

 glaucous, heart-shaped foliage and flat, saucer-shaped flowers. 



R, SPINULIFERUM, Franchet. 

 (Bot. Mag., t. 8408.) 



An evergreen shrub, 3 to 8 ft. high, the young shoots covered with pale 

 hairs and bristles. Leaves lanceolate or oblanceolate, pointed at the apex, 

 wedge-shaped at the base ; i^ to 2.\ ins. long, \ to f in. wide ; somewhat 

 hooded and puckered above, with a few hairs near the margin, scaly and 

 hairy beneath ; stalk in. long. Flowers bright red, produced in a few- 

 flowered cluster ; corolla tubular, about i in. long and \ in. wide, the five 

 ovate lobes being erect or pressing inwards round the ten" glabrous stamens, 

 which protrude about J in. beyond them. Calyx very short, downy ; flower- 

 stalks downy, J in. long. Ovary and base of style downy. 



