Primula is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose, a familiar wildflower 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 flowers. They have been extensively cultivated and hybridised. Primula are native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere, south into tropical mountains in Ethiopia, Indonesia, and New Guinea, and in temperate southern South America. Almost half of the known species are from the Himalayas.
Primula veris, the cowslip, common cowslip, or cowslip primrose, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the primrose family Primulaceae. The species is native throughout most of temperate Europe and western Asia, and although absent from more northerly areas including much of northwest Scotland, it reappears in northernmost Sutherland and Orkney and in Scandinavia. This species frequently hybridizes with other Primulas such as the common primrose Primula vulgaris to form false oxlip which is often confused with true oxlip, a much rarer plant.
The name candelabra primula or candelabra primrose refers to species and cultivars of Primula section Proliferae, originating mainly in the far east. They are characterised by whorls of flowers formed in circles at intervals around strong vertical stems, in many brilliant colours, flowering over a long period from Spring to Summer. They are popular ornamental subjects for moist, heavy, neutral or acidic soil. They associate well with other plants, such as rhododendrons, which enjoy similar conditions.
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. The common name is primrose, or occasionally common primrose or English primrose to distinguish it from other Primula species also called primroses. None of these are closely related to the evening primroses.
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. florindae prefers wetter soils close to rivers, giving way to P. alpicola on drier sites.
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.
Primula conjugens, synonym Dodecatheon conjugens, is a species of flowering perennial plant in the primrose family, known by the common name Bonneville shooting star.
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 primroseSnowflake, Geisha girl, Madam butterfly and the Japanese primrose which also applies to the related species Primula japonica.
Primula parryi, or Parry's primrose, is a herbaceous perennial native to wet areas from the subalpine zone to alpine tundra in the Rocky Mountains from Montana to Arizona and New Mexico.
Primula specuicola is perennial plant in the primrose family (Primulaceae) found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region of the southwestern United States.
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 40 cm (16 in), it is a herbaceous perennial with erect stalks of flowers growing from basal rosettes of leaves. The flowers initially appear as narrow green spikes turning red, then opening pink from the base upwards, thus giving a striking bicoloured appearance.
Primula carniolica is a flowering plant in the primrose family known by the common name Carniolan primrose. It is endemic to Slovenia.
Primula frondosa, the leafy primrose, 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 Mountains range in Bulgaria, where it is found at altitudes from 800 to 2,200 m. Its populations are situated within the boundaries of the Central Balkan National Park and the nature reserves Sokolna, Dzhendema and Stara Reka.
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, boggy soil.
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 Award of Garden Merit.
Primula nutans, also known as the sleepy primrose, is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Primulaceae.
Primula secundiflora, the second-flowered primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to western China ., where it inhabits wet places at 3,200–4,800 m (10,500–15,700 ft). It belongs to the Candelabra group of primulas. Growing to 80 cm (31 in) tall, it is a semi-evergreen perennial bearing clusters of nodding deep red flowers at the top of erect stems.
Primula stricta, also known as the strict primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae.
Primula alcalina, the alkali or bluedome primrose, is a species of primrose found in central-east Idaho and Montana.
Primula borealis, also known as the Northern primrose or slender primrose, is a species of flowering plant within the genus Primula and family Primulaceae. The species is a halophyte, inhabiting coastal saline habitats within subalpine and subarctic regions.
