Jens Nielsen, SW China Expedition 2008--ARS frøliste 2009
Jens Nielsen, SW China Expedition
535. NOT a rhododendron lot number - used for Internet formatting to include short note from Jens about his trip.
There is no doubt that 2008 was a difficult year for Rhododendron seed collection in SW China which had a very,
very wet year. As a result even by October the seed capsules were in large measure very green. In order to get
seed from the most matured capsules, Mr. Nielsen had to check the development of the seed by breaking capsules
open before collecting. Other people he spoke with, also found it quite difficult to find well matured seed in
2008. Due to the very wet conditions the roads were in such a state as to make it impossible for Mr. Nielsen to
get to many places he wished to collect seed from. Consequently, the number of species collected was disappointing
and frustrating to him, as he had expected to probably collect twice the number of species. Not only had the summer
been wet, it was raining in October and after he came home and checked the weather, still a lot of rain which is
very unusual for that late in the season. But some of the target plants like R. rox. cucullatum from the type
location and R. amundsenianum were found. On a positive note the seed once cleaned after being dried slowly look
like well formed normal seed and he would expect good germination. It may be worth noting that some seed from
immature capsules seem to have more erratic germination than normal.
536. R. amundsenianum Lapponica SS --- NEW to cultivation dwarf species and so far only known from this locality.
In the photo semi mature leaves appear to have scale of two colours with some darker scales, on mature and
dried leaves the scales are uni-coloured. Very little known, possibly related to
R. nitidilum but seems quite different. S Sichuan 3950m.
537. R. bureavii aff. sp. nov? --- A rather strange species similar to bureaviodes with quite large leaves and
petioles held vertical on current year’s growth. Indumentum on petioles, shoots and upper surface of the
leaves, giving the plants a slight orange glow, which doesn’t show well in the pics due to rain. The under
side of leaves have only very patchy and scattered indumentum, becoming nearly glabrous with time: but
very glandular with tiny red glands. Plentiful and common in this location and elevation, it would be tempting
to use the name pubicostatum but Mr. Nielsen doesn'T feel that would be correct according to the description.
More typical bureavii may occur higher on this mountain, but he can’t say for sure and it is an area where
only very little collection have been done. Horticulturally quite different from bureavii and without a name
yet. S Sichuan 3800m.
538. R. concinnum ----- A few hairs on the petiole and almost no calyx in this collection from S Sichuan 3600m.
539. R. decorum:------ Yunnan-Sichuan border 3100m.
540. R. fimbriatum (hippophaeoides var. occidentale) --- Interesting to find this narrow leaved Lapponica SS in S W
Sichuan further east then recorded before. 3200m
541. R. heliolepis var fumidum ---- The eastern and quite distinct type of heliolepis with broader leaves that have
a brownish tinged S Sichuan 3800m.
542. R. hemitrichotum ---- Probably first collection of this narrow leaved racemosum relative for many years. Leaf
underside pale and on some plants in this location the underside also pubescent as well, rather like mollicomum
SW Sichuan 2800m.
543. R. irroratum ---- SW Sichuan 2800m.
544. R. lacteum ----- Large leaves which seem typical of the eastern race of this species. S Sichuan 3900m.
545. R. oreotrephes ---- SW Sichuan 3200m.
546. R. pachytricum ----- S Sichuan 3800m.
547. R. phaeochrysum ---- S Sichuan 3900m.
548. R. roxieanum var cucullatum TYPE location. -- This is probably the first seed collection ever from the mountain
where Handel-Mazzetti collected what became the type specimen in 1914. Broad leaved forms of roxieanum are very
variable and plants on this location are different from the oblanceolate leaved form (globigerum) from
Sichuan-Yunnan border and from recent introductions from Yunnan. This is probably the south eastern
limit of this species. S Sichuan 3950m.
549. R. rubiginosum ---- Yunnan-Sichuan border 3700m.
550. R. souliei ---- There are some glands on the petiole which confirm this collection as souliei which was also found
on the next mountain to the east (syn. cordatum) in 1913. Mr Nielson knows of no collection from this location
and without seeing the flower colour souliei is difficult to separate from wardii which occurs to the west. But
both usually flower as a young plant from seed. S Sichuan 3800m.
551. R. sphaeroblastum var wumengense --- Some nice blue leaved forms here and also with quite a distinctive “skin” on
the indumentum on the under side if the leaves. The name var. wumengense has been used for recent collection
from this eastern part of the species, like this collection, though the description of the variety differs on
some points. S Sichuan 3900m.
552. R. vernicosum ---- Yunnan-Sichaun border 3600m.
553. R. yunnanense ---- Yunnan-Sichuan border 3200m
Jens Nielsen and Remi Nielsen 2009 seed collection, ARS frøliste 2010
Jens Nielsen and Remi Nielsen 2009 seed collection
Rhododendron farinosum, one of A A Maire discoveries from 1913, but was never introduce to
cultivation. It is suppose to be allied to R. denudatum, another of Maire discoveries from
this part of Yunnan, R. farinosum is a much more compact plant and seem closer to R. wiltonii
and probably should be transferred to Taliensia. The plants found are a perfect match on the
type specimen. Smallish ridged deeply veined leaves, with light brown indumentums on the
underside, which seem to quickly bleach to a light-grey.
Rhododendron magniflorum A new to cultivation introduction of what could one of the most
interesting and rarest Fortunea. Judging from the type description, from 1988, this could
be one of the largest flowered Rhododendron with flowers 10cm long in truss of 12-14 flowers,
all floral parts covered in glandular hairs, which probably make it allied to R. glanduliferum,
which are know from about 400km away. There seem to be very little suitable habitat left for
this species and until the area are better know, please consider this species rare and make
the most of the seed, as it could well become threatened it's natural habitat by cutting or fire.
Will probably be a late flowering plant, hopefully with good hardiness and heat tolerance.
Rhododendron qiaojiaense A Fortunea name last year, easily identified on account of the very
long rachis of the inflorescence. Unfortunately the type description doesn't seem to identify
this proper, but it can be clearly seen in a photograph in type description. Also how broad
campanulate/funnel-campanulate the flower are is also not clear. It is allied to R. decorum
but seem different enough for a name, it grow in a very different habitat to that of R. decorum.
I suspect this species was first introduce in 1995 by Cox/Hootman and also by Alan Clark, I
think collection numbers C&H7132 and SEH175 is this species, collected on a different location in this
region. Those collections have produced first rate, easy to grow, free flowering plants.
Rhododendron yaoshanense Taliensia, described in 2008 as a relative to the elusive R. pronum, to
which it share some similarities like completely creeping habit and persistent leaf-bud scale.
I feel this very distinct species may well be related to R. wasonii. Growing on very steep cliffs
in a very narrow altitude band. Judging from photographs, it appears to be quite free flowering
and it is much less of a high alpine species then R. pronum. Quite unique new to cultivation.
650. c.w. Arisaema sp. NN0920 NE Yunnan 1900m
651. c.w. Arisaema sp. NN0921 NE Yunnan 1900m
652. c.w. Arisaema sp. NN0922 NE Yunnan 1900m
653. c.w. Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense NN0919 NE Yunnan 1900m
654. c.w. Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense NN09031 NE Yunnan 1900m
655. c.w. Clethra sp. NN0957. Key out to C. delavayi, with mostly single racemes and long style,
but look quite different from C. delavayi from Yunnan. Interesting red petiole and stem.
SW Guizhou 1850m
P#1
P#2
P#3
656. c.w. Enkianthus chinensis NN0956 SW Guizhou 1850m
P#1
P#2
657. c.w. Enkianthus deflexus NN0923. Good autumn colour. NE Yunnan 1800m
658. c.w. Enkianthus deflexus NN0930. Variable population here. NE Yunnan 1900m
659. c.w. Eulalia pallens? NN0951. Look like a dwarf clumping Miscanthus to about 50 cm, probably
new to cultivation autumn flowering grass. SW Guizhou 1700m.
P#1
P#2
P#3
660. c.w. Gaultheria sp. NN0953. Arching shrub to 50cm, axillary flower raceme. SW Guizhou 1800m.
P#1
P#2
661. c.w. Hydrangea aspera? NN0924. Narrow leafed population NE Yunnan 1900m.
P#1
P#2
662. c.w. Hydrangea aspera NN0925. Villosa like population, different area to the above collection.
NE Yunnan 1700m
P#1
663. c.w. Ilex pernyi NN0938 S Sichuan 2800m.
P#1
664. c.w. Ligularia sp. NN0905. Very large rounded leaves and tall spike with many small flowers
to 1.5m or more. S NE Yunnan 2750m
665. c.w. Lobelia seguinii NN0949. Monocarpic, broad flower spike to 3.5m with long arching side
branches. hardiness? SW Guizhou 1300m.
P#1
P#2
P#3
666. c.w. Lobelia sp. NN0937. Not been able to key out this probably monocarpic species with
straight flower spike to 2.5m, should be hardy. S Sichuan 2800m
P#1
667. c.w. Lyonia ovalifolia NN0916A. Variable population here, of this variable species, seed
from floriferous plants. NE Yunnan 1750m
P#1
668. c.w. Lyonia ovalifolia NN0916B. From same population, but with large (ca. 8mm)
calyx. NE Yunnan 1750m
P#1
669. c.w. Lyonia ovalifolia NN0950. Small shrubs on recently burnt slope, very floriferous.
SW Guizhou 1600m
P#1
P#2
670. c.w. Lysimachia paridiformis var. stenophylla NN0918. Unusual woodland perennial, terminal
cluster of yellow flowers in centre of Paris like whorl of leaves. NE Yunnan 1900m
P#1
P#2
671. c.w. Paulownia fargesii NN0948 SW Guizhou 1300m
672. c.w. Pennesitum alopecuroides NN0960 SW Guizhou 1600m
673. c.w. Pieris fomosa NN0955. Low, 20-30 cm, probably due to exposure. SW Guizhou 1800m
P#1
P#2
P#3
674. c.w. Primula pinnatifida (mairei) NN0913. Muscarioides section S NE Yunnan 3750m
P#1
675. c.w. R. augustinii NN039. S Sichuan 2800m
676. c.w. R. brevicaudatum NN0963. New to cultivation, only one plant found and
very few seed from already fully open capsules. Botanical very interesting, tiny
flowered species, on a tall leafy plant with little or no horticultural merit.
SW Guizhou 1800m
677. c.w. R. bureavii NN0909. Nice foliage, from probably eastern limit of this
species. S NE Yunnan 3400m
678. c.w. R. coeloneurum NN0926. Nice foliage and seems closely related to
R. denudatum. This population was mostly growning in boggy condition near a
stream. NE Yunnan 1800 m
679. c.w. R. complexum NN0911. Surprising eastern population on this, which
is very similar to the species form NW Yunnan, in its short style and low number
of stamens (5) S NE Yunnan 3700m.
680. c.w. R. concinnum? NN0902 S NE Yunnan 2900m
681. c.w. R. decorum NN0907. From typical habitat for this species, among
evergreen oak scrub, quite an eastern population of this species S NE Yunnan 3000m
682. c.w. R. dendrocharis NN0944. Growing on mossy rocks near stream, good elevation
for this species. S Sichuan 3000m
683. c.w. R. denudatum NN0908. Probably as typical as this species get, similar
to R. floribundum but with darker indumentums, particular in the first year, also
seem to merge with R. coeleneuron further north east. S NE Yunnan 3300m
684. c.w. R. denudatum NN0934. Another collection from different area, seems
closer to denudatum than R. coeloneurum. S Sichuan 2600m
685. c.w. R. farinosum NN0904. Firsa compact grower, on steep Rhododendron slopes
and on edge on forest, probably related to R. wiltonii with deeply veined leaves.
S NE Yunnan 2800m
686. c.w. R. fastigiatum NN0910. More widespread then once thought, seem to
have broader leaves in eastern populations, some nice blue leafed forms on this
location. S NE Yunnan 3700m
687. c.w. R. irroratum NN0946. A northern collection. S Sichuan 1900m
688. c.w. R. irroratum NN0961. An eastern collection. SW Guizhou 1700m
689. c.w. R. liliiflorum NN0958. Large flowered Maddenia, that in cultivation
proven quite hardy and late flowering. From moist cliffs on exposed grassy plateau.
SW Guizhou 1850m
690. c.w. R. lutescens NN0932. Earlier introductions from this area have proven
quite hardy. NE Yunnan 1900m
691. c.w. R. lutescens NN0935. Quite high elevation for this species.
S Sichuan 2600m
692. c.w. R. magniflorum NN0959. Fortunea, named 20 years ago and first
introduction of this new to cultivation species, that may turn out to be the largest
late flowering hardy species. Growing among shrubs and bamboo in ravines on otherwise
exposed grassy mountain top plateau. Related to R. glanduliferum. Seem to have very
little habit left in nature and probably vulnerable to fire or cutting. SW Guizhou 1750m
693. c.w. R. pachytrichum NN0943. S Sichuan 3100m
694. c.w. R. qiaojiaense NN0903. Fortunea, Named in 2008, rounded leaves, different
habitat then R. decorum, also differs in (at least in fruit) much longer rachis.
S NE Yunnan 2800m
695. c.w. R. racemosum NN0901. Compact bushes, 40-50cm. S NE Yunnan 2900m
696. c.w. R. rex NN0942. S Sichuan 3000m
697. c.w. R. rufohirtum NN0915. Pink flowered Tsutsusi azalea, seem to key out
near this name, quite open upright habit. NE Yunnan 1700m
698. c.w. R. simsii NN0954. Low growing on explose grassy slopes and cliffs.
SW Guizhou 1800m
699. c.w. R. sp. NN0962. Tsutsusi azalea. Was not be able to key out this
collection, but didn't have lot to work with. Shrub to about 2m at edge of
wooded ravines. SW Guizhou 1700m
700. c.w. R. spinuliferum NN0945. Probably near the northern limit of this
unusual species. S Sichuan 1900m
701. c.w. R. strigillosum NN0933. NE Yunnan 2000m
702. c.w. R. tatsienense NN0941. S Sichuan 3000m
703. c.w. R. vernicosum NN0936. S Sichuan 2800m
704. c.w. R. yaoshanense NN0914. Taliensia, named in 2008, very distinct new to
cultivation introduction, creeping superficially similar to R. pronum habit,
forming a flat mat over cliffs. S NE Yunna 3800m
705. c.w. Rosa sp. NN0927. Climbing species. NE Yunnan 1800m
P#1
706. c.w. Rosa sp. NN0940. Climbing species. S Sichuan 2800m
P#1
P#2
707. c.w. Rhus chinensis NN0917. Small tree, with broad crown. NE Yunnan 1750m
P#1
708. c.w. Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna NN0906. Low growing in exposed area S NE Yunnan 2800m
P#1
709. c.w. Schefflera minutistellata? NN0952. Seem to key out to this species. Growing
among shrubs in ravines on otherwise exposed grassy mountain top plateau. If this
species, then this collection is from highest recorded elevation, hopefully hardy
and probably new to cultivation. SW Guizhou 1800m
P#1
P#2
P#3
P#4
P#5
710. c.w. Schima argentea NN0947. Theaceae, bluish leaves, upright tree like habit. well
flowered this year. S Sichuan 1900m
P#1 P#2
711. c.w. Schima sinensis NN0928. Theaceae, small tree with dark green serrated edge leaves.
NE Yunnan 1950m
P#1
P#2
712. c.w. Sorbus wilsoniana NN0929. Large but few leaflets, few branched small tree. Nice
and different from many other Sorbus. NE Yunnan 1900m
P#1
P#2
P#3
713. c.w. Veratrum grandiflorum? NN0912. Flowers not seen but look like this white with
green centre flower species. Grassy alpine meadow S NE Yunnan 3700 m.