''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 The Primulaceae , commonly known as the primrose family (but not related to the Onagraceae, evening primrose family), are a family (biology), family of Herbaceous plant, herbaceous and woody flowering plants including some favourite garden plants ...

. 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 Circumscription may refer to: *Circumscribed circle *Circumscription (logic) *Circumscription (taxonomy) * Circumscription theory, a theory about the origins of the political state in the history of human evolution proposed by the American anthrop ...

.''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

Linnaeus Carl Linnaeus (; 23 May 1707 – 10 January 1778), also known after his ennoblement in 1761 as Carl von Linné Blunt (2004), p. 171. (), was a Swedish botanist, zoologist, taxonomist, and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature, the ...

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 Heterostyly is a unique form of polymorphism and herkogamy in flowers. In a heterostylous species, two or three morphological types of flowers, termed "morphs", exist in the population. On each individual plant, all flowers share the same morph. ...

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 In biology, taxonomy () is the scientific study of naming, defining ( circumscribing) and classifying groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics. Organisms are grouped into taxa (singular: taxon) and these groups are given ...

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

, within which it is placed in the subfamily Primuloideae, being the nominative genus. The position of ''Primula'' within the family and its relationship to other genera is shown in this

cladogram A cladogram (from Greek ''clados'' "branch" and ''gramma'' "character") is a diagram used in cladistics to show relations among organisms. A cladogram is not, however, an evolutionary tree because it does not show how ancestors are related to d ...

: :

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 algida'' is a species of flowering plant within the family Primulaceae. This species was first described by Michael Friedrich Adams. Description ''Primula algida'' is a perennial species. Leaves are elliptic and grow from 1 – 6&nb ...

'' *''

Primula aliciae ''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 allionii'' (Allioni's primrose) *''

Primula alpicola ''Primula alpicola'', the moonlight primrose, is a species of ''Primula'' native to Bhutan and southeastern Tibet, where it grows in vast numbers along the Tsangpo valley alongside '' Primula florindae''. Their habitats hardly ever overlap; ''P. ...

'' (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'' (alpine primrose) *'' Primula anisodora'' (anise primrose) *'' Primula anvilensis'' (boreal primrose) *'' Primula appenina'' *''

Primula arunachalensis ''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 ...

''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'' () 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 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'' () 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 beesiana ''Primula bulleyana'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to hillsides in China. Description ''Primula bulleyana'' is one of a group known as candelabra primulas, so called because of the tiered arrangement of thei ...

'' (candelabra primrose) *'' Primula bella'' *'' Primula bellidifolia'' *'' Primula bergenioides''Ming, H. C. and G. Y. Ying. (2003)
Two new species of ''Primula'' (Primulaceae) from China.
''Novon'' 13 196-199. *'' Primula bhutanica'' *'' Primula blattariformis'' *'' 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 ''Primula bulleyana'' is a species of flowering plant in the family (biology), family Primulaceae, native plant, native to hillsides in China. Description ''Primula bulleyana'' is one of a group known as candelabra primrose, candelabra primulas, ...

'' (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''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'' (Ruby Mountain primrose) *'' Primula capitata'' **''Primula capitata'' ssp. ''mooreana'' **''Primula capitata'' ssp. ''crispata'' *''

Primula capitellata ''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 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 cernua'' *'' Primula chionantha'' *'' Primula chumbiensis'' *''

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

Primula clusiana ''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 clutterbuckii ''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 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'' () 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 cortusoides ''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 cuneifolia'' (wedgeleaf primrose, pixie-eye primrose) *'' Primula cusickiana'' (Cusick's primrose) *'' Primula daonensis'' *''

Primula darialica ''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 davidii'' *'' Primula deflexa'' *'' Primula denticulata'' (drumstick primrose, Himalayan primrose) *'' Primula deorum'' (Rila primrose, Rila cowslip, God's cowslip) *'' Primula deuteronana'' *'' Primula dryadifolia'' *'' Primula edgeworthii'' *'' Primula egaliksensis'' (Greenland primrose) *''

Primula elatior ''Primula elatior'', the oxlip (or true oxlip), is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to nutrient-poor and calcium-rich damp woods and meadows throughout Europe, with northern borders in Denmark and southern parts of ...

'' (oxlip, true oxlip, oxslip) *'' Primula elizabethiae'' *'' Primula elongata'' *'' Primula erythrocarpa'' *'' Primula farinosa'' (birdseye primrose) *''

Primula farreriana ''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 fedschenkoi ''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 fenghwaiana ''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 ...

''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 filipes'' *'' Primula firmipes'' *''

Primula fistulosa ''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 flaccida'' *''

Primula floribunda ''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 florindae ''Primula florindae'', the Tibetan cowslip or giant cowslip, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to southeastern Tibet, where it grows in huge numbers close to rivers such as the Tsangpo. It is a substantial herbace ...

'' (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 gemmifera ''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 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 glabra'' *''

Primula glaucescens ''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 glomerata'' *'' Primula glutinosa'' *'' Primula gracilenta'' *'' Primula gracillipes'' *''

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

Primula helodoxa ''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 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 hirsuta'' (stinking primrose) *'' Primula hookeri'' *'' Primula incana'' (silvery primrose, mealy primrose) *''

Primula interjacens ''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 involucrata'' *'' Primula ioessa'' *'' Primula irregularis'' *''

Primula japonica ''Primula japonica'', the Japanese primrose, Japanese cowslip, Queen of primroses, or valley red, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to Japan. The common name Japanese primrose also applies to the related species '' ...

'' (Japanese primrose, Japanese cowslip) *'' Primula jesoana'' *'' Primula jigmediana'' *''

Primula juliae ''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 ...

'' (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'' () 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 laurentiana ''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 ...

'' (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'' () 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 longiscapa ''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 lutea'' *'' Primula luteola'' *'' Primula macrophylla'' (largeleaf primrose) *'' Primula magellanica'' *'' Primula malacoides'' (fairy primrose, baby primrose) *'' Primula malvacea'' *'' Primula marginata'' (marginate primrose) *'' Primula megaseifolia'' *''

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 minima ''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 ...

'' (dwarf primrose) *'' Primula minor'' *''

Primula mistassinica ''Primula mistassinica'', also known as Mistassini primrose, Lake Mistassini primrose or bird's-eye primrose, is a flowering herb of the genus ''Primula''. The specific name refers to Lake Mistassini in Quebec, Canada. It is native to the northea ...

'' (Mistassini primrose) *'' Primula modesta'' *''

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 rosea I IMG 7210

*'' Primula munroi'' *'' Primula muscarioides'' *''

Primula nipponica ''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 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 veris01

*''

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'' () 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 pinnatifida'' *''

Primula poissonii ''Primula poissonii'' (海仙花 ''hai xian hua''), Poisson's primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the primrose family Primulaceae, native to wet areas at altitudes of in western Sichuan and central and northern Yunnan, China. Descripti ...

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Primula polyneura ''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 ...

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Primula prenantha ''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 ...

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Primula prolifera ''Primula prolifera'', the candelabra primrose or glory of the bog, is a flowering plant in the family Primulaceae. Its botanical name is currently unresolved. In cultivation it has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. ...

'' (glory-of-the-marsh) *''

Primula pulchella ''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 ...

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Primula pulverulenta ''Primula pulverulenta'', the mealy primrose or mealy cowslip, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to damp habitats in China. It is a herbaceous perennial growing to tall by broad, with strong stems of deep pink fl ...

'' (mealy cowslip) *'' Primula pumila'' (arctic primrose) *'' Primula reidii'' *'' Primula reinii'' *'' Primula renifolia'' *'' Primula reptans'' *'' Primula reticulata'' *'' Primula rockii'' *'' Primula rosea'' (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'' () 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 saxatilis'' (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 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 scotica'' (Scottish primrose) *''

Primula secundiflora ''Primula secundiflora'' (偏花报春 pian hua bao chun), the second-flowered primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to western China (E Qinghai, W Sichuan, E Xizang, NW Yunnan)., where it inhabits wet places a ...

'' *'' Primula septemloba'' *''

Primula serratifolia ''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 sheriffii ''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 sieboldii ''Primula sieboldii'', the Japanese primrose, is a species of primrose that is endemic to East Asia. The species goes by common names such as Siebold's primrose, cherry blossom primrose, Japanese woodland primrose Snowflake, Geisha girl, Madam b ...

'' (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'' (cow ...

'' *''

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

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 Cou ...

'' (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 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 takedana'' *''

Primula tanneri ''Primula tanneri'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae. Description The species' bud scales are efarinose, ovate to oblong and are long. The leaves form a rosette which have winged petiole that is long. It have even lon ...

'' *'' 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'' (cow ...

'' *'' Primula tschuktschorum'' (Chukchi primrose) *'' Primula tyrolensis'' *'' Primula vaginata'' *'' Primula valentiniana'' *''

Primula veris ''Primula veris'', the cowslip, common cowslip, or cowslip primrose ( syn. ''Primula officinalis'' ), is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the primrose family Primulaceae. The species is native throughout most of temperate Europe and w ...

'' (cowslip) *'' Primula verticillata''''Primula verticillata'' (yellow primrose).
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. (yellow primrose) *'' Primula vialii'' (wayside primrose, pagoda primrose, orchid primrose, poker primrose) *'' Primula villosa'' *''

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 watsonii ''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 warshenewskiana'' *'' Primula whitei'' *'' Primula wilsonii'' *'' Primula wollastonii'' (Wollaston's primrose) *'' Primula wulfeniana'' (Wulfen's primrose) *'' Primula xanthopa'' *'' Primula yunnanensis'' *'' Primula yuparensis''

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 A center of origin is a geographical area where a group of organisms, either domesticated or wild, first developed its distinctive properties. They are also considered centers of diversity. Centers of origin were first identified in 1924 by Ni ...

. 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]''=''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