Rhododendron simsii (杜鵑) is a rhododendron species native to East Asia, where it grows at altitudes of .
Description
It is a twiggy evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub growing to in height, with leaves that are ovate, elliptic-ovate or obovate to oblanceolate, 1.5–5 by 0.5–3 cm in size. The flowers range from white to dark red. Some varieties of Rhododendron simsii are poisonous due to the presence of grayanotoxin.Poon WT, Ho CH, Yip KL, Lai CK, Cheung KL, Sung RY, Chan AY, Mak TW Grayanotoxin poisoning from Rhododendron simsii in an infant. Hong Kong Med J. 2008 Oct;14(5):405-7
Distribution The species is common in Hong Kong. It is also distributed in Areas south of Yangtze in China as well as in Vietnam and Thailand.Hong Kong Herbarium Native Azaleas of Hong Kong
The specific name simsii commemorates John Sims (1749-1831) who was the first editor of "Magazine Botanique". Dictionnaire étymologique de botanique
This slightly tender species is quite rare in the west, though well known in Chinese gardens.
References
"Rhododendron simsii", Planchon, Fl. Serres Jard. Eur. 9: 78. 1853–1854. 1853.