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| Primula shimokitana Mas. Yamam., in Yamamoto. 2024. |
Reexamination of the primrose on the Shimokita Peninsula, northernmost Honshu, Japan, which has been treated as Primula modesta Bisset & Moore showed that it is closely related to P. sorachiana Miyabe & Tatew., endemic to Hokkaido, based on morphology and phylogenetic investigations. However, it can be distinguished from P. sorachiana by its smaller stature, flowering scape shorter than leaves, base of bracts non-saccate, larger and fewer flowers, and shallowly parted calyx lobes. Based on the results, the plants from the Shimokita Peninsula are described as a new species, P. shimokitana Mas. Yamam.
Keywords: Aomori Prefecture, Primula modesta, Primula sorachiana, section Aleuritia, Shimokita Peninsula
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| Habit and habitat of Primula shimokitana. A, habit at flowering. B–D, habitat [B & C. Okoppe (type locality); D. Higashidoori]. All photos taken in 2023. |
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| Holotype and morphology of Primula shimokitana. A. type specimens. B, leaves. C, calyx. D, pin flower. E, thrum flower. F, scape, bracts and pedicels. G, capsules. |
Primula shimokitana Mas. Yamam., sp. nov.
Similar to P. sorachiana Miyabe & Tatew. but distinguished by multiple characteristics, including smaller
stature, flowering scape shorter than the leaves, base of
bracts not saccate, larger and fewer flowers per inflorescence and shallowly parted calyx lobes.
Etymology. The epithet ‘shimokitana’ refers
to the locality where the type specimen was collected: Shimokita Peninsula, Aomori Prefecture,
Honshu, Japan.
Japanese name. Shimokita-kozakura (nov.).
Masaya Yamamoto. 2024. Primula shimokitana (Primulaceae): A New Species from the Northernmost Honshu Island, Japan. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 75(2); 37–49. DOI: doi.org/10.18942/apg.202407
