Rhododendron ponticum L. APNI* Description: Large shrub, to 10 m high; branchlets with variable indumentum.
Leaves elliptic to obovate, usually 10–17 cm long, 3.5–4.5 cm wide, margins entire; lamina coriaceous, green, paler below, usually initially tomentose below but soon becoming glabrous (glandular hairs persistent); petiole 1–1.5 cm.
Inflorescences usually terminal, of 5–20 flowers; peduncles 1.3–7 cm long. Flowers ± zygomorphic, pedicels 2–2.5 cm long, usually glabrous, sometimes with glandular hairs or pubescent; bracts and bracteoles 2.5–3.5 cm long. Sepals 0.6–1 mm long (rarely up to 3 mm long). Corolla purplish to pink, campanulate, 1.5–2.5 cm across, usually glabrous outside, pubescent inside towards base, tube 1.0–2.5 cm long, lobes 1.5–2.5 cm long, acute or rounded, upper with yellow/orange spots. Stamens 10, filaments pink, covered in white hairs. Ovary 5-locular, glabrous; style purple-pink, 3–4 cm, glabrous; stigma pink.
Capsule 1.6–2.8 cm.
Flowering: Spring
Distribution and occurrence: Sporadically naturalised in the upper Blue Mountains.
NSW subdivisions: *CT
Text by Darren Crayn and John Hosking
Taxon concept:
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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