Species In Our This species is classified in Subgenus
Rhododendron (scaly or lepidote rhododendrons), Subsection
Lapponica. It has a wide distribution in Yunnan province, China,
and also occurs in southwestern Sichuan province, at elevations
from 7,900 to 15,800 feet. Habitats include "boggy, peaty
meadows, open situations in alpine scrub, moist stony pastures,
open grassy marshes (and) bogs in pine forests" (Davidian),
which suggests that this species is a good deal more tolerant of
wet soil conditions than most rhododendrons. It was introduced
by George Forrest in 1903; subsequent collections were made by
Kingdon-Ward in 1913. R. hippophaeoides forms a small shrub, up
to 4 feet tall at maturity. The growth habit can be fairly
upright and dense, to somewhat open. Leaves are up to 1 1/2
inches long, gray-green above and densely scaly, with
overlapping yellowish-buff scales below. The small flowers are
borne in miniature trusses of 4 to 7; their color varies from
lavender-blue through purple and mauve shades t