Rhododendron hongkongense is a shrub or small tree species with very restricted distribution in Hong Kong. Due to its restricted distribution, the plant included in the book of
Rare and Precious Plants in Hong Kong.
The largest population in Hong Kong is the population growing in the Ma On Shan area. Claiming that the population is shrinking, AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) has started a scheme to protect the species. The department removes other more common plants such as
Polyspora axillaris（大頭茶）.The scheme received quite a lot of opposition from the public (including myself) mainly due to two reasons. Firstly, although
P. axillaris is a common species, it is a host to
Korthalsella japonica（栗寄生）, a obligate stem hemiparasite that is even rarer than
R. hongkongense in Hong Kong. Secondly, AFCD did not remove the poisonous nails after it is used on the plant so the poison could possibly spread out in the ecosystem.
R. hongkongense bears white flowers in late spring. The white flowers are followed by bright red to purple new shoots which stand out in the forest.
According to
Flora of Hong Kong, the species' taxonomic status is still quite unclear and more evidence is needed to separate the species completely from
R. ovatum and
R. bachii.
The photos below are taken in Ma On Shan in spring.
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| Fallen flowers |
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| Fallen flowers, purple spots might be used to guide bees towards nectar |
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| new shoots |
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| leaf |
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| new shoots |
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| white flowers |
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| flowering plant in the forest really stands out |
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| flowers |
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