Primula conjugens
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Primulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Primula conjugens is a native California herb in the Primulaceae family, recognized by glabrous habit and short/absent filament tube diagnostic.
Sierra primrose is a California native perennial found in the high Cascade Range and Modoc Plateau in moist mountain slopes, meadows, and sagebrush scrub at elevations of 1,200 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces magenta to white flowers with corolla lobes 7 to 20 millimeters long. Growing with delicate glabrous stems to 16 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in alpine and subalpine environments. Its leaves are linear-oblanceolate to obovate, 3 to 14 centimeters long, tapering smoothly to the base with entire margins. Its distinctive flower structure features anthers in dark maroon to black tones, with filaments either free or slightly fused into a short tube.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; glabrous habit and short/absent filament tube diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist slopes, meadows, often in sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 1200-1900 m
Outside California: to western Canada, Wyoming
Bloom period
Primula conjugens blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Lantana: Primula has backward-swept petals in umbrella-shaped clusters; Lantana has flat-faced flowers in dense rounded heads.; vs Pelargonium: Primula petals reflex dramatically backward with stamens forming a cone; Pelargonium petals spread forward with separate stamens.; vs Oenothera: Primula flowers have backward-swept petals in umbel clusters; Oenothera has bowl-shaped flowers opening singly or in spikes.; vs Cistanthe: Primula has backward-swept petals and cone-shaped stamens; Cistanthe has flat, rounded petals with separate stamens.; vs Kalanchoe: Primula is an herbaceous wildflower with reflexed petals; Kalanchoe is a succulent with tubular upright flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Primula conjugens native to California?
Yes. Primula conjugens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Primula conjugens bloom?
Primula conjugens blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Primula conjugens belong to?
Primula conjugens is in the Primulaceae family, genus Primula.
What habitat does Primula conjugens grow in?
Primula conjugens grows in Moist slopes, meadows, often in sagebrush scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.