''Primula'' () is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

herbaceous Herbaceous plants are vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground. This broad category of plants includes many perennials, and nearly all annuals and biennials. Definitions of "herb" and "herbaceous" The fourth edition of t ...

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

s in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar

wildflower A wildflower (or wild flower) is a flower that grows in the wild, meaning it was not intentionally seeded or planted. The term implies that the plant probably is neither a hybrid nor a selected cultivar that is in any way different from the w ...

of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cowslip), and '' P. elatior'' (oxlip). These species and many others are valued for their ornamental

flower A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Angiospermae). The biological function of a flower is to facilitate reproduction, usually by providing a mechani ...

s. They have been extensively cultivated and hybridised (in the case of the primrose, for many hundreds of years). ''Primula'' are

native Native may refer to: People * Jus soli, citizenship by right of birth * Indigenous peoples, peoples with a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory ** Native Americans (disambiguation) In arts and entert ...

to the

temperate In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout t ...

Northern Hemisphere The Northern Hemisphere is the half of Earth that is north of the Equator. For other planets in the Solar System, north is defined as being in the same celestial hemisphere relative to the invariable plane of the solar system as Earth's Nort ...

, south into tropical mountains in

Ethiopia Ethiopia, , om, Itiyoophiyaa, so, Itoobiya, ti, ኢትዮጵያ, Ítiyop'iya, aa, Itiyoppiya officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the ...

Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...

, and

New Guinea New Guinea (; Hiri Motu Hiri Motu, also known as Police Motu, Pidgin Motu, or just Hiri, is a language of Papua New Guinea, which is spoken in surrounding areas of Port Moresby (Capital of Papua New Guinea). It is a simplified version of ...

, and in temperate southern

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the southe ...

. Almost half of the known species are from the

Himalayas The Himalayas, or Himalaya (; ; ), is a mountain range in Asia, separating the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The range has some of the planet's highest peaks, including the very highest, Mount Everest. Over 100 ...

. ''Primula'' has over 500 species in traditional treatments, and more if certain related genera are included within its circumscription.''Primula''.
Flora of North America.

Description

''Primula'' is a complex and varied genus, with a range of habitats from alpine slopes to boggy meadows. Plants bloom mostly during the spring, with flowers often appearing in spherical umbels on stout stems arising from basal rosettes of leaves; their flowers can be purple, yellow, red, pink, blue, or white. Some species show a white mealy bloom (farina) on various parts of the plant. Many species are adapted to

alpine climate Alpine climate is the typical weather (climate) for elevations above the tree line, where trees fail to grow due to cold. This climate is also referred to as a mountain climate or highland climate. Definition There are multiple definitions of ...

Taxonomy

''Primula'' was known at least as early as the mediaeval

herbalists Herbal medicine (also herbalism) is the study of pharmacognosy and the use of medicinal plants, which are a basis of traditional medicine. With worldwide research into pharmacology, some herbal medicines have been translated into modern remed ...

, although first formally described as a

by Linnaeus in 1753, and later in 1754 in his ''Flora Anglica''. Linnaeus described seven species of ''Primula''. One of its earliest scientific treatments was that of

Charles Darwin Charles Robert Darwin ( ; 12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English naturalist, geologist, and biologist, widely known for his contributions to evolutionary biology. His proposition that all species of life have descended fr ...

study of heterostyly in 1877 (''

The different forms of flowers on plants of the same species ''The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species'' is a book by Charles Darwin first published in 1877. It is the fifth of his six books devoted solely to the study of plants (excluding ''The Variation of Animals and Plants Under D ...

''). Since then, heterostyly (and homostyly) have remained important considerations in the taxonomic classification of Primula. Primula is a member of the Primulaceae

. The most complete treatment of the family, with nearly 1000

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

arranged into 22 genera, was by

Pax Pax or PAX may refer to: Peace * Peace (Latin: ''pax'') ** Pax (goddess), the Roman goddess of peace ** Pax, a truce term * Pax (liturgy), a salutation in Catholic and Lutheran religious services * Pax (liturgical object), an object formerly kiss ...

and Knuth in 1905.

Phylogeny

''Primula'' is the largest genus in the family Primulaceae, within which it is placed in the subfamily

Primuloideae Primuloideae is a subfamily of the family Primulaceae in the order Ericales. Formerly it represented the Primulaceae family (Primulaceae ''s.s.''), before the latter was enlarged (Primulaceae ''s.l.'') by addition of three other closely related fa ...

, being the nominative genus. The position of ''Primula'' within the family and its relationship to other genera is shown in this cladogram: :

Classification

The genus ''Dodecatheon'' originated from within ''Primula'', its species are now included in ''Primula''. UNC Herbarium, North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Sections of genus ''Primula''

The classification of the genus ''Primula'' has been investigated by botanists for over a century. As the genus is both large and diverse (with about 430–500 species), botanists have organized the species in various sub-generic groups. The most common is division into a series of thirty sections. Some of these sections (e.g. ''Vernales'', ''Auricula'') contain many species; others contain only one. *''Amethystina'' *''Auricula'' *''Bullatae'' *''Candelabra'' *''Capitatae'' *''Carolinella'' *''Cortusoides'' *''Cuneifolia'' *''Denticulata'' *''Dryadifolia'' *''Farinosae'' *''Floribundae'' *''Grandis'' *''Malacoidea'' *''Malvacea'' *''Minutissimae'' *''Muscaroides'' *''Nivales'' *''Obconica'' *''Parryi'' *''Petiolares'' *''Pinnatae'' *''Pycnoloba'' *''Reinii'' *''Rotundifolia'' *''Sikkimensis'' *''Sinenses'' *''Soldanelloideae'' *''Souliei'' *''Vernales''

Selected species

Species include:''Primula'': List of Records.
Flora of China.''Primula'': List of Records.
Flora of North America.GRIN Species Records of ''Primula''.
Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). *'' Primula alcalina'' (bluedome primrose) *'' Primula algida'' *'' Primula aliciae'' *'' Primula allionii'' (Allioni's primrose) *'' Primula alpicola'' (moonlight primrose) *''

Primula amethystina ''Primula amethystina'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to China. The plant is commonly found in west and northwest Yunnan and southwest Sichuan, and across the border in Tibet. It typically grows best in wet, b ...

'' *''

Primula angustifolia ''Primula angustifolia'', also known as alpine primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to the Rocky Mountains of the United States. It is commonly found in Colorado and New Mexico ) , population_demonym ...

'' (alpine primrose) *'' Primula anisodora'' (anise primrose) *'' Primula anvilensis'' (boreal primrose) *'' Primula appenina'' *'' Primula arunachalensis''Basak, S. K. and G. G. Maiti. 2000. ''Primula arunachalensis'' sp. nov. (Primulaceae) from the Eastern Himalaya. ''Acta Phytotax. Geobot.'' 51(1) 11-15. *'' Primula atrodentata'' *'' Primula aurantiaca'' (''primevère à fleurs oranges'') *''

Primula aureata ''Primula aureata'' is a species of flowering plant from the family Primulaceae. Description ''Primula aureata'' is a perennial plant growing up to 5cm tall. The leaves are broad with rounded tips, they form a rosette around the base of the p ...

'' *''

Primula auricula ''Primula auricula'', often known as auricula, mountain cowslip or bear's ear (from the shape of its leaves), is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, that grows on basic rocks in the mountain ranges of central Europe, including ...

'' (auricula, bear's ear) *'' Primula auriculata'' *'' Primula bathangensis'' *'' Primula beesiana'' (candelabra primrose) *''

Primula bella ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *''

Primula bellidifolia ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *''

Primula bergenioides ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

''Ming, H. C. and G. Y. Ying. (2003)
Two new species of ''Primula'' (Primulaceae) from China.
''Novon'' 13 196-199. *''

Primula bhutanica ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *''

Primula blattariformis ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *'' Primula boothii'' *'' Primula borealis'' (northern primrose) *''

Primula bracteosa ''Primula bracteosa'', the orange throated primrose, is a perennial species of primrose which is found on rocky crevices and of ravines at the altitudes of in southern Xizhang, Bhutan, northeast India, Sikkim and Nepal. History The first spe ...

'' *'' Primula bulleyana'' (candelabra primrose) Primula capitata ssp mooreana 5

*''

Primula calderiana ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous plant, herbaceous flowering plants in the family (biology), family Primulaceae. They include the primrose (''Primula vulgaris, P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common specie ...

'' *''

Primula calliantha ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *''

Primula calyptrata ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

''Xun, G. and F. Rhui-cheng. (2003)
''Primula calyptrata'', a new species in section ''Carolinella'' (Primulaceae) from Yunnan, China.
''Novon'' 13 193-95. *''

Primula capillaris ''Primula capillaris'' is a rare species of flowering plant in the primrose family known by the common name Ruby Mountains primrose, or Ruby Mountain primrose. It is endemic to Nevada in the United States, where it is limited to the Ruby Mountai ...

'' (Ruby Mountain primrose) *''

Primula capitata ''Primula capitata'', commonly known as the round-headed Himalayan primrose or Asiatic primrose is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae. It is a short-lived perennial, forming semi-evergreen rosettes of 15cm (6inch) pale green, ...

'' **''Primula capitata'' ssp. ''mooreana'' **''Primula capitata'' ssp. ''crispata'' *'' Primula capitellata'' *''

Primula carniolica ''Primula carniolica'' is a flowering plant in the primrose family known by the common name Carniolan primrose. It is endemic to Slovenia. Description It grows to a height of and is typically broad. The stem, base and leaves are clear green, ...

'' (Carniolan primrose) *'' Primula caveana'' *''

Primula cawdoriana ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *''

Primula cernua ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *'' Primula chionantha'' *''

Primula chumbiensis ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *'' Primula chungensis'' *'' Primula chasmophila'' *'' Primula clarkei'' *''

Primula clusiana ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *'' Primula clutterbuckii'' *''

Primula cockburniana ''Primula cockburniana'', called the Cockburnia primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the genus '' Primula'', native to south-central China. A short-lived perennial, it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit ...

'' *''

Primula concholoba ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *'' Primula concinna'' *'' Primula conspersa'' *'' Primula cortusoides'' *'' Primula cuneifolia'' (wedgeleaf primrose, pixie-eye primrose) *'' Primula cusickiana'' (Cusick's primrose) *'' Primula daonensis'' *'' Primula darialica'' *'' Primula davidii'' *'' Primula deflexa'' *'' Primula denticulata'' (drumstick primrose, Himalayan primrose) *''

Primula deorum ''Primula deorum'', also known as Rila primrose, Rila cowslip or God's cowslip, is a flowering dicot plant of the genus ''Primula'' in the family Primulaceae. This alpine plant is endemic to roughly 63 km2 above the tree-line (especially aro ...

'' (Rila primrose, Rila cowslip, God's cowslip) *'' Primula deuteronana'' *''

Primula dryadifolia ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *'' Primula edgeworthii'' *''

Primula egaliksensis ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' (Greenland primrose) *'' Primula elatior'' (oxlip, true oxlip, oxslip) *'' Primula elizabethiae'' *''

Primula elongata ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *''

Primula erythrocarpa ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *''

Primula farinosa ''Primula farinosa'', the bird's-eye primrose, is a small perennial plant in the family Primulaceae, native to Northern Europe and northern Asia, and (rarely) farther south at high altitudes in the mountains of southern Europe. This primrose th ...

'' (birdseye primrose) *'' Primula farreriana'' *'' Primula fedschenkoi'' *'' Primula fenghwaiana''Hu, C. M. and G. Hao. (2011)
New and noteworthy species of ''Primula'' (Primulaceae) from China.
''Edinburgh Journal of Botany'' 68(2) 297. *''

Primula filchnerae ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *''

Primula filipes ''Primula filipes'' is a species of flowering plant within the genus ''Primula'' and family Primulaceae. Description ''Primula filipes'' is an annual species. Plants possess a basal rosette of leaves, which range in length from 2 – 5cm long. ...

'' *''

Primula firmipes ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *'' Primula fistulosa'' *'' Primula flaccida'' *'' Primula floribunda'' *'' Primula florindae'' (Himalayan cowslip, Tibetan cowslip) *'' Primula forrestii'' *''

Primula frondosa ''Primula frondosa'', the leafy primrose ( bg, Старопланинска иглика), is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to the Balkans. It inhabits shady spots in a small region of the central Balkan Mountain ...

*''

Primula gambeliana ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous plant, herbaceous flowering plants in the family (biology), family Primulaceae. They include the primrose (''Primula vulgaris, P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common specie ...

'' *'' Primula gemmifera'' *''

Primula geraniifolia ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *''

Primula giraldiana ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *'' Primula glabra'' *'' Primula glaucescens'' *''

Primula glomerata ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *''

Primula glutinosa ''Primula glutinosa'', also known as the sticky primrose, is a species of flowering plant within the family Primulaceae. Description ''Primula glutinosa'' is a deciduous, herbaceous perennial. Growing around 10 cm tall. Plants flower in early ...

'' *''

Primula gracilenta ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *''

Primula gracillipes ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *'' Primula griffithii'' *'' Primula halleri'' (long-flowered primrose, Haller's primrose) *'' Primula helodoxa'' *''

Primula hendersonii ''Primula hendersonii'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to western North America, from California north to southern British Columbia and Idaho. Common names include broad-leaved shooting star, Henderson's shootin ...

'' (broad-leaved shootingstar, Henderson's shootingstar, mosquito-bill, sailor caps) *''

Primula heucherifolia ''Primula heucherifolia'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae. Description ''Primula heucherifolia'' is a stoloniferous species with creeping rhizomes. Stems sprout from the base of the plant and are 1530 cm in heig ...

'' *''

Primula hirsuta ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' (stinking primrose) *''

Primula hookeri ''Primula hookeri'' (commonly known as Hooker's primrose) is a perennial species of primrose which is found at the altitudes of in Eastern Himalayas as well as in Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeast India and southeastern Tibet and northwestern Y ...

'' *'' Primula incana'' (silvery primrose, mealy primrose) *'' Primula interjacens'' *''

Primula involucrata ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *'' Primula ioessa'' *'' Primula irregularis'' *'' Primula japonica'' (Japanese primrose, Japanese cowslip) *''

Primula jesoana ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *'' Primula jigmediana'' *'' Primula juliae'' (Julia's primrose, purple primrose) *''

Primula kingii ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous plant, herbaceous flowering plants in the family (biology), family Primulaceae. They include the primrose (''Primula vulgaris, P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common specie ...

'' *'' Primula kisoana'' *'' Primula kitaibeliana'' (Kitaibel's primrose) *'' Primula klattii'' *'' Primula laurentiana'' (birdseye primrose) *''

Primula lihengiana ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

''Li, R. and C. M. Hu. (2009)
''Primula lihengiana'' (Primulaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China.
''Annales Botanici Fennici'' 46(2) 130-32 Primula marginata 07

*'' Primula listeri'' *'' Primula longiscapa'' *''

Primula lutea ''Primula lutea'' is a species of primrose that grows on basic rocks in the mountain ranges of southeastern Europe, including the southern and eastern Alps, southern Carpathians, Apennines, and the Balkans. The leaves are obovate and stalkless, ...

'' *'' Primula luteola'' *''

Primula macrophylla ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' (largeleaf primrose) *''

Primula magellanica ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *''

Primula malacoides ''Primula malacoides'', called the fairy primrose or baby primrose, is a perennial species of ''Primula'' native to the Himalayas, Assam in India, Myanmar, and south-central and south east China. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Aw ...

'' (fairy primrose, baby primrose) *''

Primula malvacea ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *'' Primula marginata'' (marginate primrose) *''

Primula megaseifolia ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *''

Primula melanantha ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *''

Primula melanops ''Primula chionantha'', the snow-white primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan in China. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit The Award of Gard ...

'' *'' Primula minima'' (dwarf primrose) *''

Primula minor ''Primula minor'' is a species of flowering plant within the family Primulaceae. It was first described by Isaac Bayley Balfour and Frank Kingdon-Ward in 1915. It is a close relative of the species '' Primula graminifolia''. Description ''Pri ...

'' *'' Primula mistassinica'' (Mistassini primrose) *''

Primula modesta ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *''

Primula mollis ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *''

Primula moupinensis ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

*''

Primula munroi ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *'' Primula muscarioides'' *'' Primula nipponica'' *''

Primula nivalis ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' (snowy primrose) *'' Primula obconica'' (poison primrose, German primrose) *''

Primula orbicularis ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

*''

Primula palinuri ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *'' Primula parryi'' (Parry's primrose) *'' Primula pedemontana'' *'' Primula petelotii'' *'' Primula petiolaris'' *''

Primula pinnatifida ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *'' Primula poissonii'' *'' Primula polyneura'' *'' Primula prenantha'' *'' Primula prolifera'' (glory-of-the-marsh) *'' Primula pulchella'' *'' Primula pulverulenta'' (mealy cowslip) *'' Primula pumila'' (arctic primrose) *''

Primula reidii ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous plant, herbaceous flowering plants in the family (biology), family Primulaceae. They include the primrose (''Primula vulgaris, P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common specie ...

'' *''

Primula reinii ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *'' Primula renifolia'' *'' Primula reptans'' *'' Primula reticulata'' *'' Primula rockii'' *''

Primula rosea ''Primula rosea'', the rosy primrose, is a flowering plant species in the genus ''Primula'', native to the Himalayas. Growing to tall, it is a hardy herbaceous perennial with red-tinged leaves and clumps of rich pink flowers in spring. In cult ...

'' (Himalayan meadow primrose) *''

Primula rotundifolia ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous plant, herbaceous flowering plants in the family (biology), family Primulaceae. They include the primrose (''Primula vulgaris, P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common specie ...

'' *'' Primula rusbyi'' (Rusby's primrose) *'' Primula sapphirina'' *''

Primula saxatilis ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' (rock primrose) *''

Primula scandinavica ''Primula scandinavica'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae. Description ''Primula scandinavica'' is a perennial plant, which possesses a basal rosette of leaves. The leaves are around 2–4 cm long, narrow at the ...

'' (Scandinavian primrose) *''

Primula scapigera ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *''

Primula scotica ''Primula scotica'', commonly known as Scottish primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family, Primulaceae, the primroses and their relatives. It was discovered by James Smith, and is endemic to the north coast of Scotland. Descripti ...

'' (Scottish primrose) *'' Primula secundiflora'' *''

Primula septemloba ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *'' Primula serratifolia'' *'' Primula sheriffii'' *'' Primula sieboldii'' (Japanese primrose) *''

Primula sikkimensis ''Primula sikkimensis'' (Himalayan cowslip, Sikkim cowslip, ) is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to the Himalayan region at altitudes of , from western Nepal to south west China. It is an herbaceous perennial growin ...

'' (Sikkim cowslip) *''

Primula sinensis ''Primula sinensis'', () or the Chinese primrose, is a plant species in the genus ''Primula''. Primulin (anthocyanin), Primulin is an anthocyanin found in ''P. sinensis.'' References

Primula, sinensis Plants described in 1821 {{Primu ...

'' (syn. ''P. praenitens'') *'' Primula sinolisteri'' *''

Primula sinomollis ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *'' Primula soldanelloides'' *'' Primula sonchifolia'' *'' Primula souliei'' *''

Primula spectabilis ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *''

Primula specuicola ''Primula specuicola'' (common names - cavedwelling primrose, cave primrose, Easter flower) is perennial plant in the primrose family ( Primulaceae) found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region of the southwestern United States.Canyon Co ...

'' (alcove primrose, cave-dwelling primrose) *''

Primula stricta ''Primula stricta'', also known as the strict primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae. Description ''Primula stricta'' is a perennial plant growing from tall. The species has basal rosette of leaves, which possess gl ...

'' (coastal primrose, strict primrose) *''

Primula strumosa ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *''

Primula suffrutescens ''Primula suffrutescens'' is a species of primrose known by the common name Sierra primrose. Description With a matlike form of a thick, woody base covered in the dried remnants of previous seasons' herbage, ''Primula suffrutescens'' is a sub ...

'' (Sierra primrose) *''

Primula szechuanica ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous plant, herbaceous flowering plants in the family (biology), family Primulaceae. They include the primrose (''Primula vulgaris, P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common specie ...

'' *'' Primula takedana'' *'' Primula tanneri'' *'' Primula tardiflora''Chi-Ming, H. (1994)
New taxa and combinations in Chinese Primulaceae.
''Novon'' 4(2) 103-105. *'' Primula tenella'' *'' Primula tenuiloba'' *''

Primula tenuituba ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *''

Primula tibetica ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *''

Primula tschuktschorum ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' (Chukchi primrose) *'' Primula tyrolensis'' *''

Primula vaginata ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

'' *'' Primula valentiniana'' *'' Primula veris'' (cowslip) *''

Primula verticillata ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

''''Primula verticillata'' (yellow primrose).
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. (yellow primrose) *''

Primula vialii ''Primula vialii'', Vial's primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, originating from wet meadows, or near water in high valleys of SW Sichuan and northern Yunnan in southern China. Growing to , it is a herbaceous peren ...

'' (wayside primrose, pagoda primrose, orchid primrose, poker primrose) *''

Primula villosa ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous plant, herbaceous flowering plants in the family (biology), family Primulaceae. They include the primrose (''Primula vulgaris, P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common specie ...

'' *''

Primula vulgaris ''Primula vulgaris'', the common primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, and parts of southwest Asia.''Flora Europaea'Primula vulgaris''/ref> The common name ...

'' (primrose) *''

Primula waltonii ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *'' Primula watsonii'' *'' Primula warshenewskiana'' *'' Primula whitei'' *''

Primula wilsonii ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (cow ...

'' *'' Primula wollastonii'' (Wollaston's primrose) *'' Primula wulfeniana'' (Wulfen's primrose) *'' Primula xanthopa'' *'' Primula yunnanensis'' *''

Primula yuparensis ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

Etymology

The word ''primula'' is the Latin feminine

diminutive A diminutive is a root word that has been modified to convey a slighter degree of its root meaning, either to convey the smallness of the object or quality named, or to convey a sense of intimacy or endearment. A (abbreviated ) is a word-formati ...

of ''primus'', meaning first (prime), applied to flowers that are among the first to open in spring.

Ecology

Primulas are used as a food plant by the

Duke of Burgundy butterfly ''Hamearis lucina'', the Duke of Burgundy, the only member of the genus ''Hamearis'', is a European butterfly in the family Riodinidae. For many years, it was known as the "Duke of Burgundy fritillary", because the adult's chequered pattern is s ...

Distribution and habitat

Although there are over 400 species of ''Primula'', about 75% are found in the eastern Himalayan mountain chain and western China (

Yunnan Province Yunnan , () is a landlocked province in the southwest of the People's Republic of China. The province spans approximately and has a population of 48.3 million (as of 2018). The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders the C ...

), constituting a centre of diversity. Other centres of diversity are a western Asian centre (

Caucasus The Caucasus () or Caucasia (), is a region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, mainly comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and parts of Southern Russia. The Caucasus Mountains, including the Greater Caucasus range, have historically ...

, European mountain ranges from the

Pyrenees The Pyrenees (; es, Pirineos ; french: Pyrénées ; ca, Pirineu ; eu, Pirinioak ; oc, Pirenèus ; an, Pirineus) is a mountain range straddling the border of France and Spain. It extends nearly from its union with the Cantabrian Mountains to C ...

, through the

Alps The Alps () ; german: Alpen ; it, Alpi ; rm, Alps ; sl, Alpe . are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, stretching approximately across seven Alpine countries (from west to east): France, Sw ...

to the

Carpathian Mountains The Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians () are a range of mountains forming an arc across Central Europe. Roughly long, it is the third-longest European mountain range after the Urals at and the Scandinavian Mountains at . The range stretches ...

), mountains of East Asia and those of western North America. ''Primula'' is found in mountainous or higher latitude zones of North America, Europe, and Asia, with extension into South America, Africa (mountains of Ethiopia) and tropical Asia (islands of Java and Sumatra). About 25 species occur in North America (represented in five sections). ''Primula'' is found in the humid and moderate climate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, predominantly in the forest belt, plain meadows, Alpine lawns, and nival and meadow

tundras In physical geography, tundra () is a type of biome where tree growth is hindered by frigid temperatures and short growing seasons. The term ''tundra'' comes through Russian language, Russian (') from the Kildin Sámi language, Kildin Sámi wo ...

Garden hybrids and cultivars

''Primula'' species have been extensively cultivated and hybridised, mainly derived from ''P. elatior'', ''P. juliae'', ''P. veris'' and ''P. vulgaris''. Polyanthus (''

Primula × polyantha ''Primula'' × ''polyantha'', the polyanthus primrose or false oxlip, is a naturally occurring hybrid species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae. It is the result of crosses between ''Primula veris'' (common cowslip) and '' Primula vul ...

'') is one such group of plants, which has produced a large variety of strains in all colours, usually grown as annuals or

biennials A biennial plant is a flowering plant that, generally in a temperate climate, takes two years to complete its biological life cycle. Life cycle In its first year, the biennal plant undergoes primary growth, during which its vegetative structures ...

and available as seeds or young plants. Another huge range of cultivars, known as auriculas, are derived from crosses between ''P. auricula'' and ''P. hirsuta'' (among others). Specialist nurseries and auricula societies support the growing and showing of these choice strains.

AGM cultivars

The following hybrid varieties and

cultivars A cultivar is a type of Horticulture, cultivated plant that people have selected for desired phenotypic trait, traits and when Plant propagation, propagated retain those traits. Methods used to propagate cultivars include: division, root and st ...

have gained the

Royal Horticultural Society The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity. The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr (Nort ...

Award of Garden Merit The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions. History The Award of Garden Merit ...

:- *'Broadwell Milkmaid' (auri) *Charisma series (prim) *'Clarence Elliott' (auri) *Crescendo Series (poly) **'Crescendo Blue Shades' **'Crescendo Bright Red' **'Crescendo Pink and Rose Shades' *Danova Series (prim) **'Danova Rose' *'Francisca' (poly) *'Guinevere' (poly) *''Primula'' × ''loiseleurii'' 'Aire Mist' (auri) *''Primula'' × ''pubescens'' (auri) *'Tony' (auri) *'Wanda' (prim)

Hybrids

*''

Primula × kewensis ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose ('' P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are '' P. auricula'' (auricula), '' P. veris'' (co ...

]''=''P. floribunda'' × ''P. verticillata'' (Kew primrose) *''

''=''P. veris'' × ''P. vulgaris'' (false oxlip, polyanthus primula) *'' Primula × pubescens''=''P. hirsuta'' × ''P. auricula''

References

Bibliography

*, ''see also''

Species Plantarum ' (Latin for "The Species of Plants") is a book by Carl Linnaeus, originally published in 1753, which lists every species of plant known at the time, classified into genera. It is the first work to consistently apply binomial names and was the ...

* * * * * *

Species

* * *, in Flora of China online vol. 15 * *

External links

Armeniapedia: Medicinal Uses of ''Primula''
{{Authority control Garden plants Primulaceae genera Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus