Further to my recent post. I consider this has been correctly identified but apply a slightly different name drawing attention to the unpublished research of Professor Arve Elvebakk, University of Tromso, Norway (Curator of Tromso Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden). The PRIMULA MACROPHYLLA (sensu lato - meaning in the broad sense) COMPLEX has troubled botanists and specialist growers for more than a century.
Elvebakk has recognised a separate taxon/species *Primula meeboldii* (honouring the German botanist who first collected pressed specimens of this on high passes in Ladakh in the 19th Century). It has pinkish flowers and occurs in Ladakh and some other regions. Hopefully the full details will be published in the not-too-distant future. Anyhow, I am in support of the separation of P.meeboldii at species level, along with P.macrophylla sensu stricto (in the strict sense) and Primula moorcroftiana as separate species. *The image taken fits with what I currently consider to be typical Primula macrophylla** (syn. Primula macrophylla var. macrophylla). I have observed both P.macrophylla and P.moorcroftiana on the Rohtang. P.moorcrotiana is mostly found from 4000-4500m (I have not been higher but it may well grow at higher altitudes) whereas P.macrophylla is mostly found between 3000-3600m. *However, I have found Primula macrophylla sensu stricto to vary a lot - so may well be subdivided at some point (note the silvery meal around the edge of the underside of the leaves) but the plant photographed is not Primula moorcroftiana nor P.meeboldii nor matches the unknown(s) in Kashmir.* *Important to photograph both the upper and lower surface of Primula leaves - as well as close-ups of the calyces and corollas.* On Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 5:57:04 AM UTC+1, gurinder goraya wrote: > > Dears, > > I shot this *Primula *at Sach Pass (Chamba district, in Himachal; about > 3800 m asl). Have not been able to fix its identity with the literature > available with me. Previously I had kept it as *P. macrophylla*. However, > during uploads for this fortnight, I find it different from the ones I have > posted as *P. macrophylla*. Kindly help in its identification.. > > > > > > Regards, > > *Dr. G. S. Goraya, IFS* > Deputy Director General (Research), > Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education, > New Forest P.O., DEHRADUN - 248 006. > Uttarakhand, India. > > Tel & Fax (O): 0135-2757775 > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "efloraofindia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/indiantreepix. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
