Emu Valley Newsletter – September 2022

• Date: 5th September 2022
• author: Maurie Kupsch

RHODODENDRON KAWAKAMII

This bright little species of subgenus vireya is native to the Chung-yang Mountain Range in Taiwan where it is found growing on the lower slopes of Mt. Morrison in humid rain forests, usually as an epiphyte at elevations of 2000-2135m.

It was first collected by T. Kawakami and U. Mori in October 1906 on Mt. Morrison, and by Sir John Holford in 1969, and widely distributed by John Patrick in 1970. It was introduced to Edinburgh in 1971 and in 1993, where it was found to be easily grown outside.

Rhododendron kawakamii grows into a shrub to 1.5m producing its obovate to elliptic leathery leaves in loose pseudowhorls, the upper surface dark green, lower surface covered with small brown scales. The white to yellow flowers are produced in terminal clusters of 3-7 and are saucer shaped.

At Emu Valley we find it grows well in our vireya section, where the bright yellow flowers appear from May onwards. Only once a year, but still a pleasing sight.