Primula reticulata
a perennial member of the Primula genus in the family Primulaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Genus
- Primula
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.4 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
There is one report that the leaves are toxic to cattle[4].
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 herb is used externally as an anodyne[4].
- Product or use
- Anodyne
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Himalayas from C. Nepal to S.E. Tibet.
- Habitat
- Shrubberies and open slopes, 3300 - 4800 metres[6]. Thickets on mountain slopes around 3000 metres[5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, 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[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
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a deep moist humus-rich soil, succeeding in full sun if the soil is reliably moist throughout the growing season, otherwise it requires some shade[1][3]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds along the sides of streams and in woodland gardens[3]. Plants self-sow when in suitable conditions[3].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00