I do have some knowledge of this Primula in Nepal even though it is NOT a
native species or recordedfrom that country in various check-lists - which the
photo seems to be of (though you have posted only a singleimage and not in
close-up). I cannot presently think what other species it could be - though I
am not a specialistin the genus as a whole and there are many Primulas in China
I am totally unfamiliar with!
Professor Richards confirmed the identification of a pressed specimen collected
in Nepal (the person who cameacross it assumed it was a 'wild' plant) which had
been passed on to me many years ago. In his book 'Primula' he tells us that as
far as is known this species is a native of Yunnan, south Sichuan, the Shan
States, Myanamar but also occurs around temples near Kathmandu (and I know it
from one or two other places in Nepal).
It does beg the question as how it got to be growing around such temples in
Nepal which Richards assumedwas as an escape from cultivation but whist quite a
pretty flower it would not necessarily catch the eye of mostgardeners
particularly those in Nepal? Perhaps there is a connection with the temples
themselves? I knowsomeone in the UK with a strong interest in plants utilised
in Tibetan Medicine, so will ask her if she might havea possible explanation.
Maybe the plant arrived accidently with its seed being transported by visiting
monks from a temple in China, rather beingspecifically grown as a garden plant
and then escaping/partially naturalising? One wonders as to what conditions
existalong paths near to temples which allowed it to gain a foothold? Often
more 'delicate' species cannot compete with more vigorous/rampant ones are
restricted to certain places.
It has long aroused my curiosity as to how non-native species arrive in new
countries other than as escapes from cultivation.
I met 'Botany' Bill Sykes who participated in the 1952 Polunin, Sykes &
Williams expedition to Nepal and the 1954 Stainton,Sykes & Williams expedition
to Nepal (which were Oleg Polunin and Adam Stainton's first visits to Nepal)
when The UK RoyalHorticultural Society's representative on these expeditions.
He later moved to New Zealand (where I was on a lecture tour some25 years ago).
He worked primarily as a botanist and had a spell in China. He observed that
the Chinese do not differentiate muchbetween native (wild) species and
introduced ones (which in the UK we describe as 'Aliens & Adventives'). To
them a plant growing in China is a 'Chinese' plant.
I find the distinction useful in a better understanding of a plant - just as my
detailed posts contained information about altitudinal range, habitat and so
on, seem worthwhile to me, rather than JUST an identification (no matter how
important this is and to get it as correct AS IS POSSIBLE and I regular comment
that either I personally am uncertain or that nobody is really sure in some
cases, eventhose with specialist knowledge, even though this is frustrating for
those EXPECTING a quick & simple answer/name.
I LEAVE IT FOR OTHERS TO DECIDE/DEBATE WHAT IS THE CURRENT 'ACCEPTED' NAME -
WHICH COULD CHANGE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE!
Dr Kumar posted a couple of lovely images of this species taken close to a
Gompa in Sikkim see:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/indiantreepix/xnjOdc_c1kQ.
Primula forbesii is not recorded in 'Flora of Bhutan' Vol 2 Part 2 which covers
Primulaceae in both Bhutan and Sikkim.
Best Wishes,
Chris Chadwell
81 Parlaunt Road
SLOUGH
SL3 8BE
UK
www.shpa.org.uk
From: J.M. Garg <[email protected]>
To: efloraofindia <[email protected]>
Cc: Saroj Kasaju <[email protected]>; D.S Rawat
<[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, 26 December 2016, 13:17
Subject: Fwd: Primula forbesii (accepted name) ???
Thanks, Saroj ji---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Saroj Kasaju" <[email protected]>
Date: 23 Dec 2016 4:22 p.m.
Subject: Primula forbesii (accepted name) ???
To: "efloraofindia" <[email protected]>, "J.M. Garg"
<[email protected]>
Cc:
Dear members
Location: Dhulikhel, NepalAltitude: 5000 ft.Date: 26 March, 2013
Thank you.
Saroj Kasaju
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