Primula subalpina
Family: Primulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Primula subalpina is a native California herb in the Primulaceae family, recognized by elevation and red coloration also diagnostic.
Sierra primrose is a California native perennial found in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in moist, often shaded alpine habitats at elevations of 2,100 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces magenta to white flowers with lobes generally 5 to 9 millimeters long. Growing with glabrous stems 10 to 20 centimeters tall, it develops numerous rice-like red bulblets at its roots. Its leaves are 3 to 10 centimeters long with oblanceolate blades that taper to the petiole and remain entire. The plant bears a distinctive reddish coloration except for its leaf blades, with maroon to black anthers nestled in a 2 to 3.5 millimeter filament tube.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; elevation and red coloration also diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist places, often shaded
Elevation: 2100-4000 m
Bloom period
Primula subalpina blooms Jun-Aug.
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 subalpina native to California?
Yes. Primula subalpina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Primula subalpina bloom?
Primula subalpina blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Primula subalpina belong to?
Primula subalpina is in the Primulaceae family, genus Primula.
What habitat does Primula subalpina grow in?
Primula subalpina grows in Moist places, often shaded.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.