Two new species, Rhododendron huangpingense Xiang Chen & Jia Y. Huang and R. lilacinum Xiang Chen & X. Chen (Ericaceae), from Guizhou Province, China, are described and illustrated. Rhododendron huangpingense is close to the morphologically similar species R. oreodoxa Franch. var. adenostylosum Fang & W. K. Hu and the sympatric species R. decorum Franch., from which it differs by having short yellowish brown hairs on the leaves, the rachis 15–18 mm long, a rose-colored corolla with deep rose flecks, and the stigma ca. 3.5 mm wide. Rhododendron lilacinum differs from the morphologically similar and sympatric species R. simsii Planch. by having smaller leaves, a shorter pedicel, a pale purple corolla, a smaller calyx, and shorter stamens. Both of the new species appear to be quite rare and therefore their conservation is highly desired.
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China
ERICACEAE
Guizhou
IUCN Red List
Rhododendron