J.D.H. lei.
16.
RHODODENDRON HODGSONI, m k f ,i
Mr. Hodgsons Rhododendron.
T a b . XV.
Arborcsccns, lamis Iambus, Foliis amplis pelMafc (peiiolis crassis) obovato-ellipUois oblusis busi snbcorfclis corisccis glabmimis imugimbus
leouiro bate virubbus subtus lomcnto apptcsso subarsoulco albicb-glauocscuntibus, capitulis uiaguis lo-80-iloris, pciluaculis brevibus
tomentosis, calycu obsolete, coroll» rose» tube (basi intrmo) late campamJolo, limbo brcvi S-lobo, lobis rotunda* a-gmjibus emargi-
lia*, stamimbus sub-18, flatten* gracibbus glabris, ovnrio pul» viseido Sense vcslilo M-locnlnri, stylo elongate, sHgmalc disciformi
radiatim lobato, eapsulis augustc cylimlmceis donga* enrvotis obtusis tomentosis.
Him Sikknu-Himalaya; on rooky spurs, and in the valleys of the outer arid inner ranges; elev. 10-12,000 feet, very abundant. M. May
and June; Jr. December.
A small tree, from twelve feet, the average height, to twenty, branching from the base, main branches as thick as the
human thigh, spreading horizontally for twenty or thirty feet each way, interwoven with the adjacent plants and shrubs.
B a r t smooth, papery, pale-flesh coloured, flaking off in broad membranous patches. Wood white, very close-grained, soft,
yet tough, neither warping nor splitting, but, in consequence of the great compression of the larger branches, rarely affording
a sample a foot m the square. Leaf-lmls or gemma terminal, as large as a hazel-nut; their scales broadly ovate, concave,
coriaceous, subtomentose, tapering into a long acuminated point, leaves terminal on the ultimate branches, ample, spreading,
twelve to sixteen and often eighteen inches in length, vaiying in form, oblong-effiptical or obovate or ovate-lanceolate,
obtuse, nearly cordate at the base, of a singularly thiok coriaceous texture, quite glabrous and bright glossy green above,
penninerved (scarcely reticulated), the margins recurved; beneath, all, except the thickened costa, clothed with a pale silvery
white, rarely ferruginous, closely oppressed tomentum, but which is easily abraded by the finger, and is often itself evanescent.
Petioles one to two inches or more long, very stout. Capitula four to six inches in diameter, of several delicate, pale purple
or rose-colouredy&wra. Peduncles short, viscid, often downy. Calyx obsolete. Corolla large, the tube an inch and a half
long, broadly campanula!®, the base depressed at the insertion upon the peduncle, the margin of the depression lobed, limb
spreading, two to two and a half inches across, eight-lobed, the lobes rather short, emarginate, or obtasely bifid, relieved
Stamens sixteen to eighteen, spreading; filaments slender, glabrous; a n t/m rather small, dark purple-brown. Ovary oblong-
ovate, densely covered with a short, white, viscid tmentem, many-celled. Style rather short, glabrous, thickened upwards.
Stigma a broad radiately-lobed disc. Capsules slightly curved, two inches long, cylindrical, striated, covered with a white
loose tomentum. Seeds small, winged with a lax aril, jagged at both ends.
This, and the Abies WelUana, I have always regarded as the characteristic tree and shrub (or underwood) at the
elevation of 10 to 12,000 feet in all the valleys of Sikkim. B. Sodysmi, in this respect, ranks with the B. ariarem, and
Campbetlw, being typical of a loftier zone of Rhododendrons, succeeded by the arctic one of B. anthopogon, B. setosum,
B. elreaymides, and, finally, far above the ordinary limit of phamogamio vegetation, by B. nivale, which is found at an
elevation of 18,000 feet above the level of the sea.
Nowhere can the traveller wander, in the limits assigned to the present species, without having his attention arrested
by its magnificent foliage, larger than that of B . Palcmeri, and remarkable for its brilliant deep green hue. In