Primula flagellaris W.W.Sm.
Section Minutissimae
Type specimen: W. W. Smith & Cave 2631 resides at E (specimens E00024487, E00024488, E00024489, E00024490, E00024491, E00024492) and K (specimen K000750292).
Primula tenella var. flagellaris (W.W.Sm.) A.J.Richards.
Epithet: Named for the threadlike stolons.
Distribution: Bhutan, Sikkim.
Primula flagellaris was discovered in the Zemu Valley, Sikkim by Smith & Cave and then later in Bhutan by Ludlow & Sherriff. This species has been previously combined with P. tenella though there are minor differences. The most obvious difference is that P. flagellaris is stoloniferous (long, thread-like) and P. tenella is not (has rarely produced very short stolons from old stock) though this may not be significant. The leaves of P. flagellaris are lanceolate to obovate and only have occasional flecks of farina on the upper surface whereas P. tenella has leaves that are obovate-trapezoid (rhomboid or ovoid-spathulate) and heavily coated on both sides with farina. P. flagellaris has flowers that are predominatly violet and it seems to not have any bracts, where as the flower color of P. tenella is bluish and it has a single linear bract immediately below the calyx. If you have images of P. flagellaris from Sikkim, please contact the webmaster.
