Formerly described as a single species under the Genus Cortusa, recent studies have shown this species belongs under Primula. Unlike other Primulas that have filaments attached to the side of the tube, the filaments are connected into a thick ring at the base of the corolla. Across its range, P. matthioli shows continuous variation in the leaf shape and the amount of pubescence. In the past, some authorities designated the various forms as separate species, but current taxonomy has relegated them to be ssp of P. matthioli. The ssp formally described are listed above. Since current literature covered ssp with distribution in Russia only, there are other possible ssp not yet formally described (turkestanica).