- Rhododendron lochiae
Taxobox
name = "Rhododendron lochiae"
image_width = 240px
image_caption =
regnum =Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Ericales
familia =Ericaceae
genus = "Rhododendron "
subgenus = "Rhododendron"
subsectio =
species = "R. lochiae"
binomial = "Rhododendron lochiae"
binomial_authority =F. Muell. "Rhododendron lochiae" is one of two recognised species of
Rhododendron endemic toAustralia .Description
It is a small shrub which has glossy, elliptic leaves. In spring and summer it produces terminal clusters of waxy, red bell-shaped flowers.Each flower is about 5 cm long and 3 cm wide, and occurs in groups of up to six per cluster.
Taxonomy
"Rhododendron lochiae" was first described by
Ferdinand von Mueller in 1887 who gave it the specific epithet "lochae" in honour of Lady Loch, a patron of horticulture in Australia and wife of the Governor of Victoria .The spelling was later amended to "lochiae". Thetype specimen was collected by Sayers and Davidson who came across the species while ascendingMount Bellenden Ker .It is classified within subgenus "Rhododendron", section
Vireya , subsectionEuvireya .Forms with a straight corolla tube that were previously included within the species were reclassified as "
Rhododendron viriosum " Craven in 2002. Those with a curved corolla tube, at one stage known as "R.notiale" Craven, now remain in "R.lochiae".Hybrids
A large number of hybrids derived from "Rhododendron lochiae" crossed with other species in the section
Vireya , have been produced.Distribution
"Rhododendron lochiae" occurs on mountain tops in tropical north
Queensland . It is found in protected situations, often situated in rocky areas with high rainfall and high humidity.Cultivation
The first record of cultivation related to a specimen which was growing,and subsequently flowered, at
Kew Gardens in 1939.Plants require good drainage, constant moisture, good light and a semi-shaded position protected from frost and hot sun.References
*APNI | name = "Rhododendron lochiae" F. Muell. | id = 14644
* [http://asgap.org.au/r-loc.html Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants (ASGAP) "Rhododendron lochiae"]
* [http://www.vireya.net/archive-WithersAusJ92.htm Vireya Rhododendrons: "Rhododendron lochiae"]
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