Practical
Plants

Primula involucrata

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Primula
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.2 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.

The entire plant is used in Tibetan medicine, it is said to have a sweet and bitter taste and a cooling potency[3]. Antidysenteric, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge, it is used in the treatment of contagious diseases and dysentery[4].

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas from Pakistan to S. W. China.
Habitat
Grows in abundance in moist meadows flushed with melt water from snow and glaciers, 4,000 - 5,000 metres[3].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[2]. Sow stored seed in early spring in a cold frame[1]. Germination is inhibited by temperatures above 20°c[3]. 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. This is best done every other year[3].

Cultivation

Prefers a moist position in partial shade, such as along the edge of a stream or in a woodland garden[3]. In such a position the plant is usually long-lived[3]. If conditions are too dry the plant may become dormant by late summer[3]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. The flowers have a delicious sweet honey perfume[5].

References

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

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  4. Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India 1994-00-00 ISBN 81-900489-0-2

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

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  6. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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