Maybe "high mountain" is a transliteration of Chinese.

Bb,

Yes, you are right. These are distributed in mountains of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces at altitude of 9842 ft or higher.

There are nearly 1,000 high mountain rhododendrons native to China. There are also naturally occuring hybrids. Identification involves location, elevation, time of bloom, flower characteristics (anthers, petals, color patterns, color, etc.), leaf characteristics(indumentum, leaf scales, etc.), bud characteristics, root/stolon characteristics, type of soil, and nearby vegetation. There are modern day plant explorers in China, Nepal, Tibet, etc. Some are native and some are from other countries. Most of the new species now are Vireya Rhododendrons being discovered in Borneo and that area.

Rhody, this is not a newly discovered species. It is the latest such "high mountain" rhododendrons that are domesticated for the first time. It is said these can be mass-produced in normal elevation for gardens and homes. The technique receives a gold medal of horticulture in china.

A very special rhododendron. Lovely leaves.

An image of wild "high mountain" rhododendron in natural habitat (picture taken in Yunnan):

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