Primula suffrutescens
Sierra primrose
(c) Kayla Sweeten, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Primulaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Primula suffrutescens (Sierra primrose) is a native California subshrub in the Primulaceae family, recognized by woody subshrub growth form absolutely diagnostic.
Sierra primrose is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, Sierra Nevada, and eastern Sierra Nevada in rock crevices at elevations of 2,000 to 4,200 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces magenta flowers with yellow throats on short stems. Growing as a creeping subshrub with a woody base, it forms branched stems 10 to 15 centimeters tall. Its leaves are fleshy, spoon-shaped, 15 to 35 millimeters long, with rounded tips and slightly toothed edges. The flowers emerge from glandular scapes with 2 to several short pedicels, creating delicate clusters among rocky alpine landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; woody subshrub growth form absolutely diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally rock crevices
Elevation: generally 2000-4200 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo, Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Alpine, Siskiyou, Nevada, Mariposa, El Dorado, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Trinity, Butte, Amador, Tuolumne
Bloom period
Primula suffrutescens blooms Jul-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 suffrutescens native to California?
Yes. Primula suffrutescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Primula suffrutescens bloom?
Primula suffrutescens blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Primula suffrutescens grow?
Primula suffrutescens occurs in Mono, Inyo, Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Alpine, Siskiyou, Nevada and other counties, at elevations of generally 2000-4200 m.
What plant family does Primula suffrutescens belong to?
Primula suffrutescens is in the Primulaceae family, genus Primula.
What habitat does Primula suffrutescens grow in?
Primula suffrutescens grows in Generally rock crevices.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Primula tetrandra — Alpine shooting star
- Primula clevelandii
- Primula clevelandii var. clevelandii
- Primula clevelandii var. gracilis
- Primula clevelandii var. insularis
- Primula clevelandii var. patula
- Primulaceae sp. — Primrose family
- Androsace elongata subsp. acuta — California androsace
- Androsace filiformis — Slender-stemmed androsace
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.