Primula laurentiana??

[Graham Catlow]

Hi
I purchased this primula as P. laurentiana several years ago and have exhibited it both at Glasgow and Aberdeen as that species with no suggestion it may be something else.
However, recently, it has been suggested it is not in fact laurentiana, but frondosa. Is there anyone that can give me a formal identiification please. If it is frondosa can you also please tell me the difference between the two so I don't make the same mistake again.

[Martinr]

According to John Richards 'Primula, 2002 edition' P. frondosa never has meal on the upper surface of the leaves. Does that help?

[Graham Catlow]

Hi Martin,
Thanks for that.
I will now have to wait until the leaves fully appear this year as I have no idea if the leaves have meal on them or not.

[Maggi Young]

From those photos of your lovely clumps of the primula, Graham, I'd say there is meal on both leaf surfaces, lots below and we can see the remnants of the upper farina left down the leaf petioles.

[Graham Catlow]

From those photos of your lovely clumps of the primula, Graham, I'd say there is meal on both leaf surfaces, lots below and we can see the remnants of the upper farina left down the leaf petioles.

Thanks Maggi - so that would make it P. laurentiana after all
I know it certainly has lots of meal below just wasn't sure how much if any on the surface.
I hope it is laurentiana or I might have to take it out of my North American trough.

[Great Moravian]

It is obviously Primula frondosa. John Richards was in error if claiming
Primula frondosa has no farina on upper surface whereas
Primula farinosa has. It is conversely. Correct the information
in the descriptions and key there.
Primula frondosa has farina on the upper surface of leaves.
Primula farinosa hasn't farina on the upper surface of leaves.

[Graham Catlow]

It is obviously Primula frondosa. John Richards was in error if claiming
Primula frondosa has no farina on upper surface whereas
Primula farinosa has. It is conversely. Correct the information
in the descriptions and key there.
Primula frondosa has farina on the upper surface of leaves.
Primula farinosa hasn't farina on the upper surface of leaves.

Hi GM,
What would distinguish Primula laurentiana from Primula frondosa and Primula farinosa?
Why can my plant not be Primula laurentiana?

[Great Moravian]

In Primula laurentiana the leaves are narrow, white below and green above.
http://www.primulaworld.com/PWweb/gallery/slides/laurentianaAG3.html
http://www.primulaworld.com/PWweb/gallery/slides/laurentianaAG2.html
The garden images in Primula World ascribed to it are Primula frondosa.
I cultivated Primula laurentiana several years ago, it is substantially
different compared to Primula frondosa and unconvincing in garden.

[Graham Catlow]

In Primula laurentiana the leaves are narrow, white below and green above.
http://www.primulaworld.com/PWweb/gallery/slides/laurentianaAG3.html
http://www.primulaworld.com/PWweb/gallery/slides/laurentianaAG2.html
The garden images in Primula World ascribed to it are Primula frondosa.
I cultivated Primula laurentiana several years ago, it is substantially
different compared to Primula frondosa and unconvincing in garden.

Thanks GM,
That is more clear now. These leaves are not narrow, so frondosa it is.

Now to seek out laurentiana

Kevock list both so perhaps they will let me visit and examine the differences.

[Diane Clement]

In Primula laurentiana the leaves are narrow, white below and green above.
... The garden images in Primula World ascribed to it are Primula frondosa.  

The garden images of P laurentiana on Primula world are taken by David Rankin of Kevock.  I'll be interested to hear his opinion of the species when you do meet up and compare plants.

[Graham Catlow]

In Primula laurentiana the leaves are narrow, white below and green above.
... The garden images in Primula World ascribed to it are Primula frondosa.  

The garden images of P laurentiana on Primula world are taken by David Rankin of Kevock.  I'll be interested to hear his opinion of the species when you do meet up and compare plants.

Yes, I had noticed that also Diane.
I have met David and Stella on a couple of occassions so hope they will be obliging.

[Diane Clement]

Yes, I had noticed that also Diane.
I have met David and Stella on a couple of occassions so hope they will be obliging. 

I'm sure they will, they're great folks

[Great Moravian]

I would prefer seeds collected in Canada. You should contact
http://www.gardensnorth.com/
if still available.

[Tony Willis]

Graham

there is a picture of it in the wild on the Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society website

http://www.nswildflora.ca/species/Primulaceae/PrimLaur/species.html

[johnw]

Graham
there is a picture of it in the wild on the Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society website
http://www.nswildflora.ca/species/Primulaceae/PrimLaur/species.html

Graham  - It is in this part of the world but I don't believe we are allowed to collect seed anymore as it is protected and imperiled as the article states.  If you pm me in a month or so I can check with a friend (away at the moment) who may have some seed from plants in the garden.

johnw