Last week I visited the UBC Botanical Garden in Vancouver. I was impressed by the numerous rhododendron species. Took some pictures, but when I came home (in the Netherlands) I got a surprise: I made photos of Rh. erubescens....and also photos of Rh. Oreodoxa var. fargesii. Both name-tags occur in the Asia-Garden. Most of the sources I can find (f.i. James Cullen), tell me that erbubescens is a synonym for the oreodoxa. And I must say, the plants do not look very similar: see http://www.hirsutum.info/rhododendron-species/species-O/Oreodoxa-var-fargesii/index.html for photos, name-tags and so on. Who am I to believe now? Herman van Ree Nunspeet, Netherlands
Maybe if you send this to UBC staff directly, via contact information provided elsewhere here on the UBCBG web site you will get a response from them. Otherwise one of the moderators will probably have to forward your query to them. It may be going unnoticed by the right party here.
I've finally read this (sorry for being away) -- I've forwarded this thread to a couple staff members who may be able to help.
The names are synonymous, but one or the other plant at the garden may be mislabelled (your picture didn't show).
I'm just supplying a current working link to Herman56's photos on Hirsutum.info. Hirsutum.info -- Rhododendron Species: oreodoxa var fargesii And here's a link to a flower photo of the R. oreodoxa var. fargesii from UBCBG: Asian Garden: - Rhododendron oreodoxa var. fargesii
