I consider this has been correctly identified but apply a slightly different name drawing attention to the unpublished research of Professor Arve Elvebakk, University of Tromso, Norway (Curator of Tromso Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden).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 images taken fit 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. Please not I have found Primula macrophylla sensu stricto to vary a lot (this has a white edge to the undersides of the leaves - so may well be subdivided at some point but the plant photographed is not Primula moorcroftiana nor P.meeboldii nor matches the unknown(s) in Kashmir. *Also note that the first Primula which Smythe and the other mountaineers spotted at some 4800m as they descended into the Bhyundar Valley was the smaller Primula moorcroftiana (Primula macrophylla var. moorcroftiana) not Primula macrophylla var. macrophylla which the specimens from Sach Pass appear to be.* On Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at 3:16:35 AM UTC+1, gurinder goraya wrote: > > Dears, > > *Primula macrophylla* from Himachal [Sach Pass, Chamba; 3800 m asl] > > > > > > > > > > > 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.
