黄杯杜鹃(原变种) huang bei du juan (yuan bian zhong)

Rhododendron astrocalyx I. B. Balfour & Forrest; R. croceum I. B. Balfour & W. W. Smith; R. gloeoblastum I. B. Balfour & Forrest; R. litiense I. B. Balfour & Forrest; R. oresterum I. B. Balfour & Forrest; R. prasinocalyx I. B. Balfour & Forrest.

Leaf blade oblong-elliptic to broadly ovate-elliptic. Corolla bright yellow.

Abies forests, Picea forests, mountain slopes, open places; 3000–4000 m. SW Sichuan, SE Xizang, NW Yunnan.

Among the yellow-flowered forms of this species, the specimens from around “Li-ti-ping” in NW Yunnan have characteristically narrow leaves, which have a marked glaucous bloom as they flush. These forms have been referred to Rhododendron litiense, a taxon recognized by some as distinct. There is, however, considerable overlap between R. wardii sensu stricto and R. litiense.