This is the maximowiczii sub-section of the Crystallophlomis section - which sounds like some detailed botany is coming up. In fact these are distinctive and easily recognised plants, most of which are outstandingly beautiful. They make clumps of leaves from which arise tall stems carrying a cluster of short-stemmed flowers, which may be pale yellow, an unusual bright brick red, very dark red and even black. The petals are usually recurved to some extent. Most are strongly scented.

Primula melanantha is quite exceptional. A black primula has been reported for some time, but in 2006 photographs appeared of plants with really black flowers, with barely a hint of purple at the base of the corolla, and overlapping petals, the flowers have an almost crystalline appearance of the petals. The stems have some farina, making the flowers even more dramatic. Bringing this species into cultivation involved cooperation of people from seven countries. Keeping it should not be too difficult, as it is likely to need to same sort of conditions as Primula maximowiczii. It has now been described as a new species. Previously it was known as Primula euprepes, and before that as Primula advena var. euprepes, described as having chocolate coloured flowers, and coming from eastern Tibet. Primula szechuanica var. euprepes and Primula maximowiczii var. euprepes have also been used as names!