Rhododendron pruniflorum

Not to be confused with Rhododendron prunifolium.

Rhododendron pruniflorum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae
Genus:	Rhododendron
Species:	R. pruniflorum
Binomial name
Rhododendron pruniflorum Hutch. & Kingdon-Ward
Synonyms[1]
Rhododendron tsangpoense var. pruniflorum (Hutch. & Kingdon-Ward) Cowan & Davidian Rhododendron sordidum Hutch.

Rhododendron pruniflorum, the plum-flowered rhododendron, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae.^[1][2] It is an open, often rather leggy shrub found in northern Myanmar and nearby parts of India at elevations up to 4,000 m (13,000 ft). Growing to 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft), it occurs in coniferous woodlands that are dominated by species of fir (Abies).^[3]

The aromatic leaves are often glaucous, and the undersides have a coating of fine, pale grey scales. As the name pruniflorum (plum-flowered) suggests, the small, waxy flowers are an unusual plum-purple-red shade, though they may also be mauve to pink. The heads of 3–10 small flowers open late, not until early summer at higher elevations.^[4]

References

1. "Rhododendron pruniflorum Hutch. & Kingdon-Ward". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
2. "Rhododendron pruniflorum Hutch. & Kingdon-Ward". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
3. Entry in Flora of China
4. Image page at Botanical Stock Photos