Summary

Daphne ludlowii D.G Long is a low multi-stemmed shrub first seen and collected around Phephe La in Bumthang on 21 May 1949 by Frank Ludlow, George Sherriff, and J.H. Hicks. Compared to the other four species of Daphnes found in Bhutan, it is much rarer and even considered to be endemic to Bhutan previously. However, it has also been seen in the Po Tsangpo region in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China.

Taxonomic description

Low multi-stemmed, suckering, shrub 20-30cm; young shoots tomentose, becoming glabrous. Leaves not or loosely clustered towards branch ends, thinly coriaceous, oblanceolate, 3 - 6.5 x 1 - 2 cm, shortly acuminate to a narrow, retuse point, base attenuate, glabrous, margins weakly revolute; petioles 5 - 7 mm. Inflorescence a 10 - 25 flowered sessile terminal cluster, produced from scaly buds, scales oblong c 8mm long, acute with densely ciliate margins. Flowers not fragrant. Perianth tube 7 - 9 mm, densely hairy, pale to bright yellow; lobes ovate 4 - 5 x 1 - 3 mm, rounded. 

-Description from the Flora of Bhutan 

 Habitat

Mixed Rhododendron, Hemlock, and Spruce forest between 3350 and 3580m.