Part 42 - Primula observations at Lo La and Nyug La

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SUMMARY:
Field notes describe several Primula taxa, including a probable new species with bright golden flowers, habitat details around Lalung, and a reassessment of P. Normaniana. Records include a species list for Nyug La on April 26 and a bearing note from Nyug La to Lalung.

CONTENT: Lo La Chronologies of No. *

3648. Primula sp nov. Petiolaris sect. I think this may turn out to be a new species. It is a very pretty one when seen in mass, but single is not striking. It was growing in a typically compact mass, all rooted together. The colour is a strikingly bright golden. We only saw one patch, but a snow avalanche had come down beside it, a very likely more lurks under the snow yet. Probably only in flower for a short period, like P. vernicosa.

3649. Primula ? laciniata cortusoides sect. A most beautiful primula, with the exact habitat of P. Normaniana 3650, but with a much smaller altitude range, not growing nearly so high. It grows mixed up with 3650. In places covers the banks of small streams in masses. In the sunlight seems to keep its colour well. A much bigger flower than P. Normaniana, with a brighter eye, not quite so much pink in the flower. Strikingly beautiful. Also common N.W. of Lalung, at 8500 or so.

3650. Primula Normaniana. Ludlow got this in 1936, in flower near camp 24/4/38 under No. He reported it is a very poor primula indeed, not worth cultivating. But as seen now, it is a very beautiful one. The leaves apparently increase greatly in size later on, while the flowers do not. [Later on seen at Lalung 6700.]
X See also 3700. X

3671. Primula gracilipes Boothii. I suppose this to be P. Boothii, though the flowers are less pink than usual, perhaps due to age, the leaves appear to be narrower. Scapes still very short, hardly holding the flowers clear of the leaves.

3673. Primula aff tsariensis var. porrecta. This I at first took as a possible P. tsariensis var porrecta. But the latter was in full flower in about 22nd June 1936, whereas this is early Ap. 25th. Without my notes, I would say this is a stronger primula, a much redder in the scape, bracts (especially these) & calyx. The calyx is very large too. Huge clumps were seen higher up, 30 or more plants all closely rooted together. The colour is more purple than P. tsariensis or aff. tsariensis var porrecta. A magnificent sight when seen in mass close together. Only favours the South-west slopes in dense forest, not in open, as P. tsariensis.

Nyug La April 26.
arizelum 3674
R Grande 3663, (Sarcococca) 3664
Hookeri 3676
Lindleyi 3665, Xanthostephanum 3666, Lindleyi 3667, nite 3670
ramsdenianum 3677
P. gracilipes 3671. Tsariensis var porrecta 3673.
pand. 3680
Mag. Campbellii 3675

N.B. Bearing from Nyug La to Lalung = 120° M. " camp of 25th Ap is approx 300° M.