Family - Primulaceae

Stems - To +/-80cm tall, erect, herbaceous, glandular pubescent above, red at nodes, typically simple, single or multiple from base, rhizomatous.

Leaves - Alternate, petiolate. Blade lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, entire, cuneate at base, glabrous, to +15cm long, +3cm broad, rugose above (less so below).

Inflorescence - Dense terminal indeterminate raceme to +/-20cm long, +/-4cm in diameter. Raceme typically nodding to horizontal with apex upcurved to horizontal. Pedicels to 6mm long, each subtended by one linear-attenuate bract. Bracts to 1cm long. Bracts and pedicels glandular pubescent.

Flowers - Corolla white, 5-lobed. Corolla tube to 3mm long, purplish at base internally, glandular pubescent at apex. Lobes to 6mm long, 3.5mm broad, rounded to subacute, glabrous. Stamens 5, adnate at apex of corolla tube, opposite the corolla lobes, erect. Filaments glandular pubescent, 1.2mm long, light purple near apex. Anthers .9mm long, whitish to brownish. Style -1mm long. Stigma 2-lobed, dark green. Ovary green, superior, 1mm long, glabrous, unilocular, ovules many. Calyx tube to 1.5mm long, 5-lobed, glandular pubescent. Lobes to 2mm long, erect, glandular pubescent.

Calyx.

Flowering - May - July.

Habitat - Cultivated.

Origin - Native to Asia.

Other info. - This attractive perennial is commonly cultivated in Missouri. Unfortunately, it is quite aggressive and care should be taken to ensure it does not escape cultivation. The plant can form large colonies in a single growing season. It prefers rich soil and full sun.

Photographs taken at the Kansas City Zoo, 6-3-00.