Primula sapphirina Hook.f. & Thomson ex Watt, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 20: 10. 1882. , drawing t. 13c et ex Hook.f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 3: 492.
Section Soldanelloides
Link to Flora of China description
Link to Flora of Bhutan description
Link to Nepal checklist
Type specimen: J.D.Hooker & Thomson Primula no. 32 (Sikkim) resides at KEW (specimens K000750431, K000750434) and British Museum (specimen BM000997013) and Harvard (specimen 00073587) and Paris (specimens P04544790, P04544787, P04544789) and Swedish Museum (specimen S09-47244).
Epithet: Named for having a the flower color like a sapphire.
Distribution: Nepal, Bhutan, NE India to S Tibet.
Originally found in Sikkim, Primula sapphirina is a tiny species that grows in damp areas, on ledges and mossy rocks at higher altitudes (4000-5000m) often forming small mats. Leaves oblanceolate to obovate with a pinnatifid-dentate margin, pubescent below along the midvein and with scattered short white hairs above. Scape 1-5cm with capitate inflorescence. Distinguished by the small violet-purple, funnel shaped flowers.
