Much harder to be sure when in fruiting stage. I am still uncertain about distinguishing between 'macrophylla' and 'moorcroftiana' on the basis of calyx characteristics only. The foliage of what I consider to be 'macrophylla' varies *considerably*. These leaves come close to 'moorcroftiana' but I have seen foliage of 'macrophylla' amongst boulders at some 3000m on the Rohtang Pass which are close to these.
*Overall I consider this has been correctly identified* but apply a slightly different name drawing attention to the unpublished research of Professor Arve Elvebakk, University of Tromso, Norway (Curator of Tromso Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden).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 within 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. I have found Primula macrophylla sensu stricto to vary a lot - so may well be subdivided at some point but the plant photographed does not appear to match P.moorcroftiana nor P.meeboldii nor matches the unknown(s) in Kashmir. On Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at 7:47:30 AM UTC+1, Nidhan Singh wrote: > > Dear All, > > This was again shot from the same locality as my recent post...can this be > again *Primula macrophylla *?? > > -- > Regards, > > Dr. Nidhan Singh > Assistant Professor > Department of Botany > I.B. (PG) College > Panipat-132103 Haryana > Ph.: 09416371227 > -- 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.
