Rhododendron kesangiae

Rhododendron kesangiae is a rhododendron species endemic to Bhutan, where it grows at altitudes of 2890–3450 meters in the Fir and Hemlock forests[1]. It is called Tala (ཏ་ལ) in Dzongkha. It is a tree that typically grows to 15 meters in height, with leaves that are broadly elliptic to almost obovate, and 20-30 x 10–16 cm in size. Flowers are rose pink, fading to purple.

Rhododendron kesangiae
Rhododendron kesangiae from Pele La Pass where the holotype was collected

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Rhododendron
Species:
R. kesangiae
Binomial name
Rhododendron kesangiae
D.G. Long & Rushforth
Varieties
  • Rhododendron kesangiae var. album

Etymology

The species name kesangiae was given in honour to the Royal Grandmother, Ashi Kesang Choden (born 1930) Wangchuck of Bhutan.

Flowering

Rhododendron kesangiae flowers from April to May[2].

Infraspecies

  • Rhododendron kesangiae var. album P. Namgyel & D.G. Long
  • Rhododendron kesangiae var. kesangiae
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References

  1. Yangzom, Rinchen; Long, David (11 November 2015). Plants endemic to Bhutan Himalaya. Serbithang, Thimphu: National Biodiversity Centre. p. 49. ISBN 9789993676355.
  2. Grierson, A.J.C.; Long, D.G. Flora of Bhutan : including a record of plants from Sikkim. Volume 2, Part 1 [Angiospermae: Rutaceae - Ericaceae]. Royal Botanic Garden. ISBN 1872291023.
  • Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 45: 331 1988 publ. 1989.
  • "Rhododendron kesangiae: an endemic species from Bhutan with a description of a new variety", New Plantsman, Namgyel, P. Long, D.G. (Department of Forests, Thimphu, Bhutan), 1995. ISSN 1352-4186.
  • Flora of Bhutan. Volume 2, part 1, Grierson A.J.C. & Long D.G., published by RBGE, 1991.


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