Primula success for expedition with SRGC-sponsored members

[Maggi Young]

Success for expedition with SRGC-sponsored members

An Expedition  to Bhutan, with  members Johan Nilson (Gothenburg Botanic Garden),
Elspeth Mackintosh (RBG Edinburgh) and Julia Corden (Explorers' Garden, Pitlochry) - all
sponsored by the Exploration Fund of SRGC, along with other member, Martin Walsh, Koen Van Poulke and Ann de Rijke have found a primula last seen decades ago.

After 81 years Primula sherriffiae  has been found on steep mossy cliffs at  2120m in Bhutan.
Also growing on the cliff was Primula ludlowii   As recorded by Sherriff and Ludlow in 1934.
 - message received from Julia Corden 8th July 2015

Warm congratulations  to all members of the expedition!

[Maggi Young]

These photos of Primula sherriffiae in the wild are  by Sonam Wangchan , who lead the trip.

[shelagh]

Lovely

[Maggi Young]

Johan Nilson has commented on the tremendous help given to this expedition by Pam Eveleigh of Primula World by reason of her work and research on finding the location for the trip to search for Primula sherriffiae.  What a great job Pam  made of that!  There will be photos from the trip for Primula World in due course.

Here are some more photos from Alan Elliot of the plants being grown at RBGE which are derived from the original introduction, and a couple of herbarium sheets from 1934.











Fascinating how this trip by SRGC members and Grant Recipients have been able to contribute to this great story!
This is the main link to the Grants page of SRGC :  http://www.srgc.net/site/index.php/extensions/grants

[Lewis Potter]

It wont be long before we see these plants in cultivation, I reckon. All Primulas are beautiful. But these are the best.

[Julia]

Hi Lewis,
Primula sherriffiae is already in cultivation from the collection Sherriff did in 1934 but it is a very difficult plant to grow.
We only collected pictures and no seed or plants.