Primula tanneri King
Section Petiolares
Link to Flora of China description
Listed in Flora of Bhutan
Link to Nepal checklist
Type specimen: Col. H.C. Tanner s.n. Sikkim 11,000ft resides at E (specimen E00024690) and K (specimen K000750220 ) and P (specimen P04907203).
P. nepalensis (nom. illeg., syn): Type specimen: Lal Dhwoj 18 resides at E (specimen E00024688) and BM (specimens BM000521984,BM000521879).
P. tanneri King subsp. nepalensis A.J.Richards (syn)
P. tanneri King var. nepalensis (A.J.Richards) S.K.Basak & Maiti (syn)
P. strumosa Balf.f. & R.E.Cooper var. peralata W.W.Sm. & Fletcher (syn): Type specimen: Ludlow & Sherriff 3383 resides at E (specimen E00024692).
P. tanneri King var. peralata (W.W.Sm. & Fletcher) S.K.Basak & Maiti (syn)
P. balfouriana Watt ex Pax nomen (syn): Type specimen: Watt 5201, 5222 resides at E.
P. obtusifolia Royle var. griffithii Watt (pro parte) (syn): Hooker, Specimens: Watt 5201, 5222 resides at E.
Epithet: Named for Col. H.C. Tanner.
Distribution: Sikkim, Darjeelng, Tibet (Xizang) / Chumbi, Bhutan, Nepal.
Originally from Sikkim and the Chumbi valley, this species is close to P. griffithii and part of a complex which includes P. tsariensis and P. calderiana. It is distinguished by the scarcely farinose calyx, deeply cut (to 2/3), 5 ribbed and each lobe lanceolate with an acute apex. Basal bud scales are efarinose, petioles 1-3 times the lamina and may be hidden by the basal scales. Lamina broad, deltoid, with margin serrate-dentate and a acute apex. Flowers light purple with a darker center and yellow eye, annulate. Very close to P. tsariensis which is considered a subspecies of P. tanneri by some authorities. At present I am listing some potential synonyms which may be distinct and keeping P. tsariensis separate. Additional images of P. tanneri from Sikkim would help clarify the relationships between species.
