Perennial of the Primulaceae family, native to the western part of North America, the Rockies and coastal ranges, from California to Oregon and Idaho. It grows in high-altitude wet meadows, on the banks of mountain streams and in late snowbeds, generally between 1,500 and 3,500 meters, on fresh to waterlogged substrates during the growing season.
It is one of the most graceful species of the genus: it forms a basal rosette of oblong to spatulate, smooth, medium green leaves, of low height. The upright, slender and neat flower stalk reaches 15 to 30 cm and bears in a terminal umbel a few drooping flowers with petals reflexed backward, pink-lilac to bright magenta-pink, with a yellow basal ring edged with purple from which emerge the stamens fused into a pointed cone characteristic of the genus. This cone of stamens, clearly visible, is the most singular structural element of the flower, which evokes a small cyclamen projected towards the sky.
In its natural habitat, flowering extends from June to August depending on altitude. In cultivation, it generally occurs in May-June.
The plant enters complete summer dormancy after flowering, disappearing entirely from the ground: care should be taken not to inadvertently unearth it. It requires a fresh to moist soil in spring, well-drained in summer, in partial shade. Perfectly hardy.