Practical
Plants

Primula elatior

Oxlip

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Primula
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.15 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Lepidoptera, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Edible uses

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

Young leaves - raw or cooked in soups etc[2]. They have a mild flavour and are available in late winter[K].

Plant part
Leaves

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 root is diuretic and expectorant[8][2]. It is used in the treatment of coughs, flu and other febrile conditions, insomnia and migraine[8][2]. The root can be harvested in the spring or autumn and is dried for later use[8].

Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Miscellany

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Sweden to the Alps and S. Russia.
Habitat
Woods and meadows on chalky boulder clay[4][7].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
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[3]. Sow stored seed in early spring in a cold frame[1]. Germination is inhibited by temperatures above 20°c[6]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in the summer. Division in autumn. This is best done every other year[6].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a medium to heavy moisture retentive humus rich loam in a cool position with light to medium shade[6], though it succeeds in heavier shade[5]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in chalky soils[5]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are a number of subspecies[5]. The subspecies P. elatior meyeri is a parent of the P. x pruhonicensis group of ornamental hybrids[5]. This species hybridizes readily with P. vulgaris[4].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

    ↩

  4. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  8. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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