Syn.: Auricula minima Spach, Kablikia minima (L.) Opiz in Bercht. et Opiz, Kablikia truncata Opiz in Bercht. et Opiz, Auricula-ursi minima (L.) Soják
Family: Primulaceae Vent.
Distribution: Mountainous regions of Europe – the Alps, Sudetes, Carpathians, mountains of the Balkan peninsula.
Ecology: It grows on rocks, in rock crevices, on pastures, snow patches, in subalpine and alpine zones, in elevations up to 3000 m. It blooms from June to July.
Description: Perennial herb, only 1–4 cm tall, with a basal rosette of leaves. Leaves obtriangular, cuneate, 0.5–3 × 0.3–1 cm, margins entire, apex deeply and narrowly dentate. Scape 1- to 2-flowered, bracts 3–8 mm, linear-lanceolate, calyx 5–9 mm, corolla bright pink, with deeply divided, V-shaped lobes. The fruit is a capsule.
Threat and protection: The Fairy Primrose is protected by law in Czechia, Slovakia and Ukraine.
These images were taken in Italy, Dolomites, Tre Cime (June 18, 2005), and Czechia, Krkonoše (July 28, 2007).
