Primulaceae
Primulaceae Batsch ex Borkh. comprises approximately 60 genera and 2,800–3,000 species worldwide. Modern molecular phylogenetic studies have considerably broadened the family by incorporating the former families Myrsinaceae, Theophrastaceae, and Maesaceae into Primulaceae. Members are characterized by simple leaves, regular sympetalous flowers, superior ovaries with free-central placentation, and capsular or berry fruits.
Key characteristics
- Annual or perennial herbs, shrubs, or small trees
- Leaves simple, exstipulate
- Flowers actinomorphic and usually five-merous
- Corolla sympetalous
- Stamens opposite the corolla lobes
- Ovary superior
- Free-central placentation
- Fruit a capsule or berry
Distribution
Primulaceae has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution, with greatest diversity in the temperate and montane regions of the Northern Hemisphere, especially the Himalayas, Europe, western China, and Central Asia. Members occupy forests, alpine meadows, wetlands, grasslands, rocky slopes, riverbanks, and coastal habitats. In Pakistan, Primulaceae occurs in Murree Hills, Swat, Chitral, Kaghan Valley, Deosai Plateau, the western Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush ranges. Species are common in temperate forests, alpine meadows, moist grasslands, stream banks, rocky slopes, and subalpine habitats. Representative Pakistani genera include Primula, Lysimachia, Anagallis, Androsace, Samolus.