Primula cardioeides W.W.Sm. & H.R.Fletcher, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. lii. 337. 1942.
Section Carolinella
Type specimen: Petelot 6448 resides at Harvard ( holotype specimen 00062457) and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (photograph of specimen E00024766).
P. cordata (nom. inval.): Merrill (non Balf.f.), J. Arnold Arbor. 1939, xx. 349. Type specimen: Petelot 6448 resides as above. The name P. cordata was used prior by Balf.f.
Epithet: Named for the heart shaped leaves.
Distribution: Vietnam.
This species was first named Primula cordata but the name had already been used prior by Balf.f. necessitating a new name. This species was first discovered near Chapa (Sa Pa) on the way to Lo Qui Ho (Pass), but it is often encountered on Fansipan (Phan Xi Păng) Mountain. It is distinguished by dark green, rugose leaves, cordate at the base and with a short distinct petiole. The flowers are pink, annulate, with notched lobes and 6-10 flowers per stem. Compare with P. petelotii, P. nghialoensis and P. chapaensis which are found in the same area of Vietnam.
