shooting stars

(primroses)
genus Primula

Member of primrose family (family Primulaceae)
dicots (class Magnoliopsida)
flowering plants (subphylum Angiospermae)

There are no other wild species of this genus in the bay area.

The anthers of Shooting stars are fused in pairs, with connective tissue between and covering them, often coming to a point between the tips of each anther pair. The connective tissue widens to cover the anthers toward the proximal end, where all filaments are often fused to form a filament tube.

Jepson has produced a video showing differences between the bay area species, along with high quality photos. Another video describes the relevant botanical terms in more detail.

henderson’s shooting star
Primula hendersonii

peduncle purple (or mix of purple/green) [this may not be reliable]
corolla typically has 4 lobes in the bay area, rarely[?] 5
filament tube < 3 mm wide
anther connective tissue is dark purple to black
[basal, spoon-shaped] leaf blade length generally < 2× width

padre’s shooting star
Primula clevelandii

peduncle bright green
corolla typically has 5 lobes, rarely 4 or 6
at low elevations near the coast, the corolla is typically mostly white

inland and at higher elevations, the corolla is mostly light purple

filament tube 3–4 mm wide
depending on the variety, there will always be cream/yellow on the filament tube, anther connective tissue, or anther pollen sacs
[basal, not spoon-shaped] leaf blade length generally > 2× width

Toxicity of primula (Primula spp.):
1 – Skin contact with these plants can cause symptoms ranging from redness, itching, and rash to painful blisters like skin burns.

2 observed taxons / 1 key

Chris’s observations: 76 (71 are research grade)

Locations:

Henry Coe SP: 29
Almaden Quicksilver CP: 9
Joseph D. Grant CP: 7
Calero CP: 6
Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve: 6
Coyote Lake / Harvey Bear Ranch CP: 4
Santa Teresa CP: 3
Coyote Valley OSP: 2
Pacheco SP: 2
Pinnacles NP: 2
Stevens Creek CP: 2
Alum Rock Park, San Jose
Fort Ord NM
Fremont Older OSP
Rancho Cañada del Oro OSP

Months:

Jan.: 1
Feb.: 11
Mar.: 36
Apr.: 25
May: 3

For more details, use advanced search.

Taxon info: iNaturalist – Calflora – Jepson eFlora – FNA

Bay Area species: iNaturalist – Calflora