Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 13, 2026

Primula minima

Primula minima, the fairy primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to the eastern Alps, Carpathians, and Balkan mountain ranges. Although it is a high-elevation species, it relies more than expected on seed dispersal than clonal propagation. It is occasionally available from commercial suppliers.

Last revised
Jun 13, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
253 w
Citations
4
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Primula minima
Flower
Botanical illustration
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Primulaceae
Genus: Primula
Species:
P. minima
Binomial name
Primula minima
Synonyms1
List
    • Aretia minima (L.) Link
    • Aretia truncata Link
    • Auricula minima (L.) Spach
    • Auricula villosa Spach
    • Auricula-ursi minima (L.) Soják
    • Kablikia minima (L.) Opiz
    • Kablikia truncata (Lehm.) Opiz
    • Primula minima f. alba Bercht. & J.Presl
    • Primula minima f. caulescens Wimm. & Grab.
    • Primula minima var. caulescens Wimm. & Grab.
    • Primula minima f. fimbriata Tausch
    • Primula minima var. multidentata Sünd.
    • Primula minima f. subacaulis Wimm. & Grab.
    • Primula minima var. subacaulis Wimm. & Grab.
    • Primula pseudoforsteri Dalla Torre & Sarnth.
    • Primula sauteri Schultz
    • Primula truncata Lehm.

Primula minima, the fairy primrose (a name it shares with Primula malacoides), is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to the eastern Alps, Carpathians, and Balkan mountain ranges.1 Although it is a high-elevation species, it relies more than expected on seed dispersal than clonal propagation.2 It is occasionally available from commercial suppliers.3

  • On a Soviet postage stamp
    On a Soviet postage stamp
  • Grouping
    Grouping
  • Leaves
    Leaves
References

References

  1. "Primula minima L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  2. Reisch, Christoph; Kellermeier, Jasmin (2007). "Microscale variation in alpine grasslands: AFLPs reveal a high level of genotypic diversity in Primula minima (Primulaceae)". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 155 (4): 549–556. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2007.00699.x.
  3. "Primula minima (Au) fairy primrose". The Royal Horticultural Society. 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023. Other common names; snow rosette ... 2 suppliers