Primula valcuvianensis (S.Jess. & L.Lehm.) Cristof. & Crema
Section Auricula, Subsection Euauricula
Type specimen: S.Jessen & L.Lehmann AC-1952 resides at JE (specimen JE00010314 )
P. hirsuta Vill. subsp. valcuvianensis S.Jess. & L.Lehm. (syn)
Reference paper: S. Creme & G.Cristofolini, Phylogeny of Primula Subsect. Euaricula - A case study on origin and evolution of alpine endemism, Ann. Mus. Civici-Rovereto 28: 135-159. 2013.
Epithet: Named for the Valcuvia valley in Varese province in Northern Italy.
Distribution: Italy
Initially described as a subspecies of P. hirsuta and a close relative. This species is found growing on dolomitic rocks on Mt. Nudo and other mountains around the Valcuvia valley in Northern Italy. It is distinguished from P. hirsuta by having pale grey-green leaves with a light-edged margin (vs. brownish-green and not light edged), glands mostly 3-celled, 45-60 microns long, long petiolate with colorless head cell (vs. usually 3-celled, 10-35 microns long, short-stalked usually with a large yellowish to yellowish-red head cell), a more compact glandular density, and ovate, obtuse or rounded calyx lobes (vs. triangular, pointed). Genetic analysis shows that P. valcuvianensis and P. grignensis are both closely related to P. hirsuta, and are further distinguished by growing on calcareous soil unlike P. hirsuta which grows on acidic soils. See reference paper.
