Reintroduction of Primulina tabacum Hance, a Critically Endangered Calciphilous Perennial Herb, in Southern China

Primulina tabacum Hance (Gesneriaceae) is a calciphilous perennial herb. There are only eight wild populations with less than 10,000 individuals in Southern China. The distribution, conservation status, ecological and biological characteristics, genetic diversity, reproductive biology, tissue culture, and horticulture of P. tabacum were studied before reintroduction. Thousand in vitro-propagated P. tabacum plantlets were used to reintroduce at three of the plant’s historical and extant habitats. About 10% of the transplanted seedlings survived by 2012. More than 200 next-generation individuals were found in 2018. Facilitation between the species and mosses is important for the reintroduction success.