Primula spathulifolia Craib
Section Minutissimae
Link to Nepal checklist
Type specimen: J. D. Hooker s.n. Sikkim alt. 13,000ft resides at KEW (specimen K000750281).
Aleuritia spathulifolia (Craib) Soják (syn) in Čas. Nár. Mus., Odd. Přír. 148: 207 (1979 publ. 1980)
P. minutissima var. spathulifolia Hook. f. (syn), Fl. Brit. Ind. 3: 494. Type specimen: J. D. Hooker s.n. Sikkim alt. 13,000ft resides as above.
P. melichlora Balf.f. & W.W.Sm. (syn), Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 9: 29. 1915. Type specimen: W.W. Smith 4071 resides at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (specimens E00024511, E00024512, E00024513, E00024514, E00024515, E00024516).
P. spathulifolia subsp. melichlora (Balf.f. & W.W.Sm.) W.W.Sm. & Forrest (syn), in Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 16: 28 (1928).
Epithet: Named for the leaf shape.
Distribution: E Nepal, Sikkim.
A relatively little known species, originally described from Sikkim (Lachung area), but also found in East Nepal. Primula melichlora was collected in August at Tosa (NE of Lachung) and is thought to be a later developed state of P. spathulifolia. A small farinose species, to 4cm, leaves mostly spathulate with a broadly winged petiole, rounded or obtuse apex, entire or finely serrulate margin in the upper half of the blade, densely farinose on both leaf surfaces, especially below. Flowers exannulate, purple or white with a white or yellow eye, scapes absent or short, pedicel to 10mm with 1, or 2 unequal farinose, laceolate bracts. Calyx campanulate, parted to middle and farinose on both sides. The original description mispelled the name, but has been corrected. In Nepal, rosettes are connected by short, persistent stolons. Compare with P. stirtoniana, P. minutissima and P. tenella. If you have images of this species from Sikkim, please contact the webmaster.
