Rhododendron calophytum

Rhododendron calophytum, the beautiful-face rhododendron, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae that is native to the forests of central and eastern China, where it lives at altitudes of 1400-4000 m. Growing to 12 m tall and 8 m broad, it is a substantial evergreen shrub. The leathery leaves are narrow and up to 30 cm long. In early Spring trusses of bell-shaped, white or pale pink flowers, spotted with maroon inside, are produced.

In cultivation in the UK, Rhododendron calophytum has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Like most rhododendrons it prefers an acid soil. It is hardy down to -15 C.

Lower taxa

 * Rhododendron calophytum var. calophytum
 * Rhododendron calophytum subsp. jinfuense Fang ex M.Y. Fang
 * Rhododendron calophytum var. jinfuense Fang & W.K. Hu
 * Rhododendron calophytum var. openshawianum (Rehder & E.H. Wilson) D.F. Chamb.
 * Rhododendron calophytum var. pauciflorum W.K. Hu