Practical
Plants

Primula auricula

a perennial member of the Primula genus in the family Primulaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Primula
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.15 m
Spread
0.15 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are used as a remedy for coughs[6]. Used in the treatment of headaches[8].

Product or use
Antitussive

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

When growing in the right conditions this species and its cultivars make a good ground cover[4]. They are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[4].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Europe - Alps and Carpathian mountains.
Habitat
Rock crevices or wet alpine grassland[7].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Sow stored seed in early spring in a cold frame. Germination is inhibited by temperatures above 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in autumn.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a freely-draining moderately fertile humus-rich sandy loam[3]. Prefers an alkaline soil[2]. Grows well in heavy clay soils[4]. Dislikes dry soils[3]. Requires some shelter from the summer sun[1][3]. Grows well in the shade of a north wall but does not like growing under trees[4]. A very ornamental and polymorphic species[1]. The flowers are sweetly honey-scented[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  6. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

  7. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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