Large evergreen shrubs or small trees. The foliage of this hardy big-leaf species is quite distinct with the large oblanceolate to obovate leaves tapering to a very short and winged petiole. The indumentum on the lower surface is thin, brownish and distinctly “granular” in appearance. The flower color is remarkable variable, ranging from white to pale yellow or pink, sometimes with a blotch. An interesting, rare and hardy species which probably represents a stabilized hybrid swarm between praestans and arizelum (i.e. it has “speciated out”). This is another big-leaf that is rarely labeled correctly in gardens – they are almost always garden-origin hybrids. Found only in the Tapao (or Dapao) Shan of W Yunnan, China where it occurs in mixed forest from 11,000(?) to 13,000 ft.
1975/182 Rock#157:CS (+5).
1993sd110 (0?). Seedlings of 75/182 (Rock#157) selfed.
1993sd320 TS#9248:RSBG (-10?\R3\2). Beautiful large seedlings grown from seed collected in SE Tibet.
1997sd224 RSBG (0\R1\4). A hardy big-leaf with a thin brown indumentum on the lower leaf surface with a distinctly “granular” appearance. White to pale yellow or pink flowers. These are large vigorous seedlings grown from controlled-pollinated seed produced here in the RSBG using 1975/182 (R#157) selfed. Very attractive foliage. The real thing.
Berg. A hardy big-leaf with a thin brown indumentum on the lower leaf surface with a distinctly “granular” appearance. White to pale yellow or pink flowers. Grown from controlled-pollinated seed produced by Warren Berg in his garden.
