''Primula angustifolia'', also known as alpine primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family

Primulaceae The Primulaceae , commonly known as the primrose family (but not related to the Onagraceae, evening primrose family), are a family (biology), family of Herbaceous plant, herbaceous and woody flowering plants including some favourite garden plants ...

, native to the

Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, are a major mountain range and the largest mountain system in North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch in straight-line distance from the northernmost part of western Canada, to New Mexico in ...

of the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

. It is commonly found in

Colorado Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of t ...

and

New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...

Description

''Primula angustifolia'' is a dwarf plant, 1 to 7 cm (.39 to 2.75 in) tall. Leaves are lanceolate to oblanceolate, folded slightly inwards and 2–5 cm (.78 to 1.96 in) long. The plant grows as a single stem or in clumps. Flowers are notched, varying in color from pink to lilac to deep purple, with a yellow eye. Flowers can be up to 20 mm in diameter, and can appear too large for the diminutive plant. Plants often range in size, flower number and flower color. White flowered plants are generally found in New Mexico. The plant blooms from June to August.

Distribution and habitat

The plant's distribution is the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and northern New Mexico. It is typically found above the tree-line in tundra habitats and in rocky locations above 3000 m. (9842 ft).

Cultivation

Often long-lived in cultivation, the plant is free-flowering but rarely produces seed. Plants do best when grown in containers under glass, in a rich sandy mix. Plants have done well outdoors in Scotland, grown in troughs.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q17250882 angustifolia Flora of Colorado Flora of New Mexico