Primula specuicola
| Primula specuicola | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Primulaceae |
| Genus: | Primula |
| Species: | P. specuicola
|
| Binomial name | |
| Primula specuicola Rydb.
| |
Primula specuicola (common names - cavedwelling primrose,[1] cave primrose, Easter flower) is perennial plant in the primrose family (Primulaceae) found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region of the southwestern United States.[2]: 129
Description
[edit]Growth pattern
[edit]It is a perennial plant from 2 to 11 inches (5.1 to 27.9 cm) tall with withered leaves at the base.[2]: 129
Leaves and stems
[edit]3⁄4 to 8 inches (1.9 to 20.3 cm) leaves are green on top and whitish underneath, spatula shaped (spatulate) to elliptical, and sometimes toothed at the margins.[2]: 129
Inflorescence and fruit
[edit]It is one of the earliest bloomers in its habitat, blooming from February to June.[2]: 129 "Primula" means first, referring to the early bloom time of the genus.[2]: 129 The inflorescence is a cluster of flowers at the end of a leafless stalk.[2]: 129 The flowers are lavender to pink, have a corolla tube with a yellow ring at the mouth, and then flare into five lobes, with two lobes at the end of each of the 5.
Habitat and range
[edit]It only grows in the Colorado Plateau (endemic) near seeps and hanging gardens.[2]: 129
References
[edit]- ^ NRCS. "Primula specuicola". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g Canyon Country Wildflowers, Damian Fagan, 2nd ed., 2012, Morris Bush Publishing, LLC. in cooperation with Canyonlands Natural History Association, ISBN 978-0-7627-7013-7