6184.000 Rhododendron L.

Trees or shrubs; terrestrial or epiphytic; variously hairy, hairs usually tangled and coming away in a layer. Leaves alternate, sometimes clustered at stem apex; margins entire, very rarely crenulate. Inflorescence racemes or corymbs, mostly terminal, sometimes lateral; few- to many-flowered. Calyx persistent, 5-8 lobed; corolla funnelform, campanulate, tubular, regular or slightly zygomorphic, 5(-8) lobed. Fruit capsule cylindric, coniform or ovoid, sometimes curved, indehiscent from top. Seeds numerous, minute, always winged or both ends with appendages.

Worldwide: 850 species in Asia, Malesia, Australia, Europe, North America.

Zimbabwe: 1 cultivated taxon.