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Family : Ericaceae
Since the article below was written it appears the 2010 Queensland Plant Census as well as the Tropical Plants of North Queensland CSIRO Key both do not recognise Rhododendron viriosum.
asgap.org.au/r-loc.html
Growing in fairly heavy shade on sloping,north facing ground in Bellingen.It seems to like its position.
NAMES OF THE AUSTRALIAN VIREYA SPECIES
Two unique species of vireya rhododendrons have been recognised as being native to Australia. Their natural habitat is confined to a relatively small region of tropical rainforest in North Queensland.
The most obvious difference between the two Australian Rhododendron species is the shape of the corolla tube of the flower - curved in R.lochiae and straight in R.viriosum. The curved form, R. lochiae is from Mount Bellenden Kerr,south of Cairns, while the straight tubed form, R. viriosum is from north and north west of Cairns.
Both species are easily cultivated from cuttings and seed.
Until recent years it was held that there was only one Australian species, this being known as Rhododendron lochiae. Investigation of the taxonomy resulted in the recognition that there were, in fact, two separate species one of which is the plant long familiar to Australian vireya growers and the other a little-known plant from a restricted area in north Queensland, i.e. R. lochiae and R. notiale (Craven & Withers 1996). As the specimen to which the name R. lochiae was attached represented the relatively unknown plant, Craven attempted to have the name R. lochiae conserved with a new type specimen so that stability would be maintained in nomenclature. This was not accepted by the relevant Committee of the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) with the result being that a new species, R. viriosum, was described for the species which we used to call R. lochiae (Craven 2002).
The correct name for species first described in 1887as R. lochiae (and recently as R notiale) is now R. lochiae. R. notiale is now a synonym of this name.
The floral emblem of the Australian Rhododendron Society represents the new species, i.e. R. viriosum. The epithet 'viriosum' means robust, strong and refers to the qualities of the plant when used as a parent in hybridising.
members.iimetro.com.au/~mirra/news.html
www.flickr.com/photos/72793939@N00/3067355671/in/pool-484...
See Rhododendron viriosum HERE
www.anbg.gov.au/gallery/rhododendron-viriosum-oconnor-200...
See Tanetahi's comments
HERE
MORE Australian Rainforest Flowers
IDENTIFYING AUSTRALIAN RAINFOREST PLANTS,TREES & FUNGI - Flick Group -->
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