Rhododendron lochiae
Encyclopedia
Rhododendron lochiae is one of two recognised species of Rhododendron
endemic to Australia
.
. In spring and summer it produces terminal clusters of waxy, red bell-shaped flowers.
Each flower is about 5 cm long and 3 cm wide, and occurs in groups of up to six per cluster.
in 1887 who gave it the specific epithet lochae in honour of Lady Loch, a patron of horticulture in Australia and wife of the Governor of Victoria
.The spelling was later amended to lochiae. The type specimen was collected by Sayers and Davidson who came across the species while ascending Mount Bellenden Ker
.
It is classified within subgenus Rhododendron, section Vireya
, subsection Euvireya.
Forms with a straight corolla tube that were previously included within the species were reclassified as Rhododendron viriosum Craven in 2002. Those with a curved corolla tube, at one stage known as R.notiale Craven, now remain in R.lochiae.
. It is found in protected situations, often situated in rocky areas with high rainfall and high humidity.
Plants require good drainage, constant moisture, good light and a semi-shaded position protected from frost and hot sun.
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is a genus of over 1 000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers...
endemic to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Description
It is a small shrub which has glossy, elliptic leavesLeaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
. In spring and summer it produces terminal clusters of waxy, red bell-shaped flowers.
Each flower is about 5 cm long and 3 cm wide, and occurs in groups of up to six per cluster.
Taxonomy
Rhododendron lochiae was first described by Ferdinand von MuellerFerdinand von Mueller
Baron Sir Ferdinand Jacob Heinrich von Mueller, KCMG was a German-Australian physician, geographer, and most notably, a botanist.-Early life:...
in 1887 who gave it the specific epithet lochae in honour of Lady Loch, a patron of horticulture in Australia and wife of the Governor of Victoria
Henry Loch, 1st Baron Loch
Henry Brougham Loch, 1st Baron Loch GCB, GCMG was a Scottish soldier and colonial administrator.-Military service:He was the son of James Loch, Member of Parliament, of Drylaw, Midlothian...
.The spelling was later amended to lochiae. The type specimen was collected by Sayers and Davidson who came across the species while ascending Mount Bellenden Ker
Mount Bellenden Ker
Mount Bellenden Ker is the second highest mountain in Queensland, Australia. It is named after the botanist John Bellenden Ker Gawler. Located 60 km south of Cairns near Babinda, it is adjacent to Mount Bartle Frere, the state's highest peak, part of the Bellenden Ker Range which is also...
.
It is classified within subgenus Rhododendron, section Vireya
Rhododendron subgenus Vireya
Rhododendron subg. Vireya is a tropical subgenus of Rhododendron with 310 known species. Vireyas are native to southeastern Asia and range from Thailand to Australia....
, subsection Euvireya.
Forms with a straight corolla tube that were previously included within the species were reclassified as Rhododendron viriosum Craven in 2002. Those with a curved corolla tube, at one stage known as R.notiale Craven, now remain in R.lochiae.
Hybrids
A large number of hybrids derived from Rhododendron lochiae crossed with other species in the section Vireya, have been produced.Distribution
Rhododendron lochiae occurs on mountain tops in tropical north QueenslandQueensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. It is found in protected situations, often situated in rocky areas with high rainfall and high humidity.
Cultivation
The first record of cultivation related to a specimen which was growing,and subsequently flowered, at Kew Gardens in 1939.Plants require good drainage, constant moisture, good light and a semi-shaded position protected from frost and hot sun.