Primulaceae and Myrsinaceae

Androsace, Dodecatheon, and Primula are still in Primulaceae, but Anagallis and Trientalis have moved into Myrsinaceae.

The Primrose Path

The name primrose comes from primula rosa, the first rose. Clearly, however, the primrose is not a member of the Rose family, but I guess primflor wouldn't have been a very good idea. Garden primroses are some of the first flowers to bloom in a nursery setting, as well as some of the first wildflowers to appear.

Our best native primrose is the Sierra Primrose, Primula suffrutescens, found in higher regions like Carson Pass (look on the slopes above Lake Winnemucca after you cross the outlet), and the trail up Thunder Mountain (above the first plateau and the lava knobs, on the way up to Martins Point). This flower is a treat to find, and when you do find it it shows up in large patches.

Another collection of plants still in Primulaceae that you are likely to encounter in your wandering are three forms of Dodecatheon, commonly called Shooting Star. The several forms of Shooting Star are easily found, usually in wet grassy meadows or wet stream margins (but Henderson's is usually in dry areas). They are among the first flowers to appear, and they are found over a several-month period.

Most likely you are familiar with the common garden primrose. I refer to them as "gas station primrose' because they are certainly common in the planter boxes at stations that want a little nicer look. Apparently they take little to no maintenance. They do make a colorful border addition when a gardener wants some immediate color while waiting for Spring. Primula vulgarus is a wildflower of England, taken over by the gardening community and now available in several bright colors.

Two Former Primrose Family Members Now Moved to Myrsinaceae

Compare the Shooting Stars to the weedy scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) which is also easy enough to find in most gardens, or along a road in disturbed soils. The five petals are slightly reflexed (bent backward) while the stamens are exerted. There is also a distinctive center ring of color because each petal has a change of color toward the center. While this little flower is an introduced plant that is considered a weed, it is at least attractive and not armed.

Trientalis, another common plant that people know as Starflower (Trientalis latifolia, shown) has also been switched into Myrinaceae. These are our only two native plants that were changed, but the nursery plant Cylamen is also moved out of Primulaceae.

Be sure to visit the Wikipedia page to read about the other plants in this group. It seems a strange group to include these two comparatively delicate plants, but hey, that's what keeps this stuff interesting, right?

What to Look For Early in the Season

Start looking in March along the hills above Nimbus Dam for Shooting Star, and as Spring advances up the hill, find them easily along Iron Mountain Road, Traverse Creek, Wrights Lake, Carson Pass, Pine Hill, and Grass Lake. These are very common plants.

The genus name Dodecatheon is from "Dodeca=twelve, and -theon=gods; the flowers are pretty enough to have pleased the twelve gods of the Greeks.

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