As spring arrives, various flowers begin to bloom at the Xi’an Botanical Garden in Shaanxi, China. Among them, Primula filchnerae Knuth stands out as the most vibrant flower, attracting numerous visitors to admire its beauty.
Primula filchnerae Knuth is the scientific name for the Shaanxi primrose, a endemic plant species at risk of extinction found only in Shaanxi Province, China. This flower is named after the German botanist Reinhard Gustav Paul Knuth, who first described it in 1905.
The Shaanxi primrose (Primula filchnerae Knuth) belongs to the genus Primula within the Primulaceae family. It is cherished for its delicate, beautiful blossoms, heart-shaped petals, and feather-like leaves. This flower typically blooms from February to April each year. Due to these characteristics, the Chinese also refer to this flower as the “harbinger of spring.”
The Shaanxi primrose features elegant colors and attractive shapes.
The Shaanxi primrose was first discovered in the southern Qinling Mountains of Shaanxi Province in 1904, but it completely disappeared for over 100 years. It has been listed as extinct in both the China Plant Red List and the Red Book. It wasn’t until 2015 that the reappearance of the Shaanxi primrose in the Qinling Mountains caused a sensation in the botany community.
Since 2017, senior researchers in Shaanxi, China, have begun investigating the wild distribution and growth status of this species. They are conducting seed sowing experiments in an effort to regenerate and conserve this rare flower, which is unique to the Shaanxi area.
The Shaanxi primrose revived after over 100 years but still remains on the endangered species list according to the Red Book (IUCN).
According to Xue Ming, director of the Shaanxi Institute of Botany, as well as a professor and PhD advisor at Northwest University, there are four distribution points for the Shaanxi primrose in this province. However, the current population of Shaanxi primroses does not exceed 500 plants. Worryingly, none of these four distribution points are located within a conservation area. Additionally, there is another distribution point located next to National Highway 108 (China). Therefore, the Shaanxi primrose still faces the risk of extinction.
Researchers sowing Shaanxi primroses in the wild.
Xue Ming noted that the Xi’an Botanical Garden has successfully propagated tens of thousands of plants since collecting seeds of the Primula filchnerae Knuth in 2017. These flowers are mainly used for display, scientific research, and breeding new varietiesThe orchid that blooms once every 15 years, priced at 136 million VND per plant.
As spring arrives, many visitors flock to the Xi’an Botanical Garden to witness this rare flower known as the “harbinger of spring.” The conservation and propagation of the Shaanxi primrose not only holds significant scientific value but also contributes to promoting tourism in Shaanxi Province.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi Province are dubbed the “biodiversity gene bank” due to their rich variety of plant and animal species. Discovering a wild plant species that has been lost for hundreds of years, like the Shaanxi primrose, is akin to “finding a needle in a haystack,” yet it serves as proof that perseverance leads to success.
The research team will continue to monitor and manage the propagated flower population, aiming to establish new populations that can bloom and bear fruit naturally. This is intended to improve the fragile living conditions of the Shaanxi primrose and lay a solid foundation for its long-term survival.
