The Herberstein Primrose

A true rarity thrives in the crevices of the steep cliffs in the Feistritz Gorge—the “Herberstein primrose.” This primrose, with its pink-to-purple flowers, is a variety of the hairy primrose (Primula villosa var. commutata) and is listed as endangered in the current Red List of Ferns and Flowering Plants of Austria. The range of the hairy primrose consists of widely separated relict populations in the Eastern and Western Alps at elevations between 1,500 and 2,200 meters. An exception is its occurrence in Herberstein, where it can be found at approximately 400 meters above sea level. It can be found on the castle rock of Herberstein Castle, on silicate rock faces directly above the Feistritz River, and on the Geierwand, a rocky outcrop high above Lake Subenberg. 

In addition to the name "shaggy primrose," the name " Styrian red-glanded primrose " is also commonly used ; colloquially, it is also called "Rotes Petergstamm" or "Roter Speick" because of its color. It is a perennial herbaceous plant whose leaves are arranged in a basal rosette. The leaves are obovate and notched to serrated at the tip. The Shaggy Primrose reaches a height of 5–15 cm; the leaves and stem are covered with sticky, red-tipped glandular hairs up to 1 millimeter long. The flowering period is from April to June. Two to five stalked flowers are clustered together in a terminal, umbel-like inflorescence. The flower consists of five pink to purple corolla lobes with a diameter of 15–30 mm and a white, funnel-shaped throat. 

The Shaggy Primrose avoids alkaline substrates and prefers to colonize silicate rock crevices, though it can also occur in alpine grassland communities. It requires a lime-free substrate and colonizes rock crevices with abundant fine soil. A microclimate with high humidity and significant evaporative cooling promotes its growth. It sometimes meets its moisture needs through water-storing moss cushions.

As part of a conservation program funded by the Biodiversity Fund, efforts are currently underway to preserve the shaggy primrose at Burgfelsen through the application of growing medium, seeds, and vegetative plants.

Tip: During the blooming season, it’s worth taking a hike from Tierwelt Herberstein to the gorge, especially to admire the beautifully blooming “Herberstein primrose.” From the bridge over the Feistritz River, directly below the castle, you can see the shaggy primrose growing from the trail. It grows both directly on the nearby castle rock and on the damp rock faces on the opposite side of the river. Of course, the plant is strictly protected, and picking it is strictly prohibited.