Macabeanum Rhododendron                 ro-do-DEN-dron ma-kay-bee-AH-num

• Broadleaf evergreen shrubby tree, about 5 ft (1.5 m) tall in 10 years, in the wild may attain a height of 40-50 ft (12-25 m).  Leaves simple, alternate,thick, leathery, oblong-elliptic to broadly oval, to 30 cm long and 15-22 cm wide, apex rounded or mucronate (short pointed tip), narrow or obtuse at the base, dark green above, underside whitish or grayish white, at first woolly but hairs drop, then a suede-like indumentum (pubescence), mid-rib and lateral veins prominent.  Flowers in dense clusters (umble) of 30 or more, calyx rim-like, corolla (petals) sulfur or dark yellow or sometimes white; flowers about 8 cm long and 5 cm wide, 8-lobed, 16 stamens, style glabrous with a large crimson or pink stigma.
• 10°F, very to mid-early, quality rating 4-5/4-5/3 [flower / plant & foliage / performance; scale 1 (poor) - 5 (best)].  Part shade.
• Native to northeast India (Manipur, Nagaland)
• macabeanum: after Mr. McCabe, Deputy Commissioner for the Naga Hills, Assam, Manipur, India.