Primula inopinata H. R. Fletcher, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 52: 339. 1942.
Section Muscarioides
Link to Flora of China description
Type specimen: cult. from seeds of Yu 13861 resides at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (specimen E00024782).
Epithet: Named for its unexpected appearance. See below.
Distribution: Yunnan, China.
This species grew unexpectedly at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh from seeds sent by Yu under the collection number 13861. The corresponding plant specimen of this collection number is in fruit, but it is identified as P. aromatica. This species has leaves similar to P. pinnatifida but the flowers are arranged in a loose raceme, not a spike or capitulum typical of members in Section Muscarioides. C. M. Hu determined that this was a natural hybrid between P. runcinata and P. pinnatifida. Additional specimens from the wild would clarify the status of this species.
