Common names:
Sierra shooting star, Jeffrey's shooting star
Family:
Scientific name:
Primula jeffreyi
Synonym:
Dodecatheon jeffreyi
Main flower color:
Range:
The Pacific states, Nevada, and the southern Rocky Mountain states
Height:
Up to 24 inches
Habitat:
Streambanks, bogs, moist meadows and woodland, from near sea level to 10,000 feet
Leaves:
Basal, narrowly oblanceolate, up to 20 inches long
Season:
June to August
Primula jeffreyi grows mainly across the Sierra Nevada, the Cascades, and the northern Rocky Mountains (Idaho and Montana). Unlike the similar primula fragrans, flower parts are usually in fours, though fives are also quite common. Corolla lobes, up to one inch long, are pale to dark pink, paler towards the base, while the corolla tube is creamy-yellow, usually with a dark ring. The dark purple anthers are around half as long as the corolla lobes, and their bases are visible, not contained within the corolla tube. The stigma is longer than the anthers, while the head-shaped style is about twice the width of the stigma. Flowers are arranged in an open cluster, of between three and 20, attached by pedicels of up to 3 inches.
The pedicels and upper stem usually have a covering of very short, glandular hairs; the leaves and lower stem are glabrous. Leaves are almost as long as the stem, and tend to angle upwards. Leaf margins may be entire or shallowly toothed. Leaves are attached by winged petioles.
The pedicels and upper stem usually have a covering of very short, glandular hairs; the leaves and lower stem are glabrous. Leaves are almost as long as the stem, and tend to angle upwards. Leaf margins may be entire or shallowly toothed. Leaves are attached by winged petioles.
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