异名：Rhododendron didymum Balf. f. et Forrest (synonym)、Rhododendron sanguineum Franch. subsp. atrorubrum Cowan (synonym)、Rhododendron sanguineum Franch. subsp. didymum (I. B. Balfour et Forrest) Cowan (synonym)

图版103：9-11

Rhododendron sanguineum Franch. var. didymum (Balf. f. et Forrest) T. L. Ming in Act. Yunn. Bot. 6: 171. 1984; 云南植物志4: 443. 1986; 西藏植物志3: 591. 1986.——R. didymum Balf. f. et Forrest in Not. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 13; 256. 1922; Stapf in Curtis's Bot. Mag. 154: t. 9217. 1928; Tagg in Stevenson, Spec. Rhodod. 547. 1930;中国高等植物图鉴3: 97. 4148. 1974.——R. sanguineum Franch. subsp. didymum (Balf. f. et Forrest) Cowan in Not. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 20: 70. 1940; Cullen et Chamb. in Not. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 37: 334. 1979; Chamb. in Not. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 39; 399. 1982.

本变种与原变种的区别在于小枝有宿存的芽鳞；子房毛被至少有部分的分枝毛有腺体；花冠深黑红色。

产云南西北部和西藏东南部。生于海拔3 000-3 800 （-4 500）米的高山草地、灌丛或岩石上。模式标本采自西藏东南部察隅。