Emu Valley Newsletter – November 2017

• Date: 14th November 2017
• author: Maurie Kuscph

R. MALAYANUM var. MALAYANUM

Rhododendron malayanum has the distinction of not only being the most widespread species in the subgenus but also the first to be described. With such a wide distribution many varieties and forms have been described including R.malayanum var malayanum.

Growing on poor white sand it forms an erect somewhat straggly large shrub to 5 m, the branches and leaves are covered with dense persistent scales which are easily seen with the naked eye giving the plant a somewhat brown appearance, the upper surface of the leaves are silvery and without scales.

As the flower buds start to open they become an attractive patchwork of bright green and brown and when the bright red flowers appear a delightful display presents itself. Other colour forms have been collected including purplish-pink and even a greenish-white form.

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