Common Name: Pink Scaly Rhododendron
Scientific Name: Rhododendron lepidotum
Family: Ericaceae
Nepali Name: Bhaale Sunpati ( भाले सुनपाति )
Size: Over 1.5 m (height)
Location: Nagthali, Rasuwa, Nepal 

The Pink Scaly Rhododendron is a hardy, small-leaved evergreen shrub found across the high-altitude landscapes of Nepal. Growing in elevations ranging from 2,200 to 5,300 meters above sea level, it thrives in alpine slopes, open scrublands, and rocky terrain where few other woody plants persist.

This species is characterized by its compact, often low-growing form, with dense branching that helps it withstand harsh mountain conditions. The leaves are small, oval to elliptic, and distinctly covered with fine, rust-colored or brownish scales on the underside, giving the plant its name. When in bloom, it produces clusters of delicate, bell-shaped flowers that range from soft pink to lilac, sometimes with subtle darker spotting inside the corolla.

Flowering typically occurs in late spring to early summer, adding color to otherwise sparse alpine vegetation. Despite its modest size, Rhododendron lepidotum plays an important ecological role in stabilizing soil and providing shelter for high-altitude insects and other small fauna.

Please feel free to comment below if the above species has been misidentified.

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