Primula tetrandra
Alpine shooting star, Alpine Shooting Star
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Primulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Primula tetrandra (Alpine shooting star) is a native California herb in the Primulaceae family, recognized by 4-petaled flowers absolutely diagnostic.
Alpine shooting star is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada, northern Transverse Ranges, San Bernardino Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, Warner Mountains, and southeastern Sierra Nevada in boggy meadows and streambanks at elevations of 1,700 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces magenta to lavender flowers with lobes 8 to 16 millimeters long in compact clusters. Growing with slender stems 4 to 30 centimeters tall, it appears generally smooth and delicate. Its leaves are linear to linear-oblanceolate, 2 to 20 centimeters long, tapering smoothly to the base. The flowers feature distinctive black filaments and purple-black anthers, creating a striking contrast with the vibrant magenta petals.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; 4-petaled flowers absolutely diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Boggy meadows, streambanks
Elevation: 1700-3400 m
California counties: Mono, Lassen, San Bernardino
Outside California: to Oregon, Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Primula tetrandra 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 tetrandra native to California?
Yes. Primula tetrandra is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Primula tetrandra bloom?
Primula tetrandra blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Primula tetrandra grow?
Primula tetrandra occurs in Mono, Lassen, San Bernardino, at elevations of 1700-3400 m.
What plant family does Primula tetrandra belong to?
Primula tetrandra is in the Primulaceae family, genus Primula.
What habitat does Primula tetrandra grow in?
Primula tetrandra grows in Boggy meadows, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Primula clevelandii
- Primula clevelandii var. clevelandii
- Primula clevelandii var. gracilis
- Primula clevelandii var. insularis
- Primula clevelandii var. patula
- Primula conjugens
- Primulaceae sp. — Primrose family
- Androsace elongata subsp. acuta — California androsace
- Androsace filiformis — Slender-stemmed androsace
- Androsace occidentalis — Western rock-jasmine
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.