Rhododendron lanceolatum Ridl.

Shrub up to 1.2 m, mostly epiphytic, sometimes terrestrial; young stems green, smooth with a fine covering of minute scales. Leaves 7–12 × 2.5–4.5 cm, lanceolate to elliptic, the apex acute, the margin entire, flat or weakly revolute, the base tapering to rounded and characteristically wrinkled; upper surface green, smooth but often with puckers alongside the midrib, the scales hardly visible, the midrib broad and raised for most of its length often coloured red towards the base, lateral veins 7–12 pairs rather obscure; lower surface with minute, widely spaced, lobed scales which are difficult to see, the midrib smooth or slightly raised, the laterals fine and obscure. Flowers 4–10 per umbel, horizontal or slightly nodding, calyx a low ring; corolla white, very widely funnel-shaped, 2.2–2.5 × 2–2.4 cm, with very small brown scales outside; ovary covered with white hairs but no scales, style hairy in the lower half, glabrous above. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

Distribution  Indonesia Kalimantan Malaysia Sabah, Sarawak

Habitat 1,000–1,500 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H2

Conservation status Least concern (LC)