Rhododendron nivale Hook. fil.

Small, much-branched prostrate or erect shrubs, usually forming dense cushions, (0.3–)0.6–0.9(–1.2) m tall; branches densely dark ferruginous scaly. Petiole 0.5–2(–3) mm, scaly; leaf blade elliptic, ovate or rounded, 0.35–0.9(–1.2) × (0.15–) 0.2–0.5(–0.6) cm; base broadly cuneate; apex acute or rounded, occasionally mucronulate; abaxial surface yellowish green to fawn, scales contiguous or nearly contiguous, 2-colored, pale golden and dark brown intermixed, usually either equal in number or paler scales predominating; adaxial surface dark green, densely scaly, gray-white or golden. Inflorescence 1–2-(–3)-flowered. Pedicel 0.05–0.15 cm, scaly, occasionally pubescent; calyx lobes (0.1–)2–4(–4.5) mm, oblong or narrowly lanceolate, scaly, margin ciliate and/or scaly; corolla broadly funnelform, pink, or lilac to purple, (0.7–)0.9–1.4(–1.6) cm, tube (2.5–)3–4(–6) mm, outer surface rarely scaly, often pubescent, throat pubescent; stamens (8–)10, longer or shorter than corolla, filaments villous towards base; ovary 1–2 mm, scaly; style usually longer than stamens. Capsule ovoid to rounded, 3–5 mm, scaly. Fl. May–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep.

Himalaya (Nepal to Bhutan), S. Tibet.

S Qinghai, W Sichuan, E and S Xizang, C and W Yunnan [Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim].

4600-5600 m

Forest margins, Rhododendron thickets, alpine meadows, moorlands, swampy grassland, open bogs, damp places, open mountainsides, dry rocky slopes, screes, cliffs, ice gorges; 3100–5800 m.

Rhododendron nivale est une espèce de plantes de la famille des Ericaceae. C'est l'un des seuls buissons capables de survivre aux conditions extrêmes (haute altitude).

Le rhododendron nivale est une espèce utilisée dans la Médecine tibétaine traditionnelle.

Rhododendron nivale adalah spesies tumbuhan yang tergolong ke dalam famili Ericaceae. Spesies ini juga merupakan bagian dari ordo Ericales. Spesies Rhododendron nivale sendiri merupakan bagian dari genus Rhododendron.

Rhododendron nivale là một loài thực vật có hoa trong họ Thạch nam. Loài này được Hook. f. miêu tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1851.

雪层杜鹃（学名：Rhododendron nivale）为杜鹃花科杜鹃属下的一个种。根据《药用植物词典》，雪层杜鹃产于中国西藏，花、叶、嫩枝有清热消炎、止咳平喘、健胃、散肿、补肾强身、抗衰老的功效，可用于肺病、喉炎的治疗。