Rhododendron niveum

{{Short description|Species of plant}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}

{{Speciesbox

| image = Rhododendron niveum AJT Johnsingh P1020212.JPG

| genus = Rhododendron

| species = niveum

| authority = Hook.f."Rhododendron niveum", J. D. Hooker, J. Hort. Soc. London. 7: 78. 1852.

}}

Rhododendron niveum ({{zh|s=西藏毛脉杜鹃}}) is a rhododendron species native to northeastern India (including Sikkim), Bhutan, and southern Tibet in China, where it grows at altitudes of {{convert|2600-3500|m|ft|abbr=on}}. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows to {{convert|2-6|m|ft|abbr=on}} in height, with leathery leaves that are oblanceolate to elliptic, 8.5–11 by 3.6–4.6 cm in size. When young the leaves are covered in a white indumentum, which falls off the upper surface but remains on the underside. The flowers are an intense magenta or lilac,{{cite web|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242344229 |title=Rhododendron niveum |author=He Mingyou |author2=David F. Chamberlain |work=Flora of China |publisher=Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA |accessdate=20 May 2013}} and held in a compact ball above the leaves.{{cite web | url = https://treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/rhododendron/rhododendron-niveum/ | title = Rhododendron niveum | website = Trees and Shrubs Online | publisher = International Dendrology Society | access-date = 22 April 2021}}