Primula specuicola
# Primula specuicola

Primula specuicola (common names - cavedwelling primrose, cave primrose, Easter flower) is perennial plant in the primrose family (Primulaceae) found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region of the southwestern United $States.^{:129}$

## Description

### Growth pattern

It is a perennial plant from 2 to 11 inches (5.1 to 27.9 cm) tall with withered leaves at the $base.^{:129}$

### Leaves and stems

3⁄4 to 8 inches (1.9 to 20.3 cm) leaves are green on top and whitish underneath, spatula shaped (spatulate) to elliptical, and sometimes toothed at the $margins.^{:129}$

### Inflorescence and fruit

It is one of the earliest bloomers in its habitat, blooming from February to $June.^{:129}$ "Primula" means first, referring to the early bloom time of the $genus.^{:129}$ The inflorescence is a cluster of flowers at the end of a leafless $stalk.^{:129}$ The flowers are lavender to pink, have a corolla tube with a yellow ring at the mouth, and then flare into five lobes, with two lobes at the end of each of the 5.

## Habitat and range

It only grows in the Colorado Plateau (endemic) near seeps and hanging $gardens.^{:129}$

