This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Primula vulgaris
  • Primrose

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

248px
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Primula vulgaris has 0 edible uses listed
Primula vulgaris has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves - raw or cooked as a potherb, added to soups etc[1][2][3]. A mild flavour, though the texture is a bit tough[K]. The leaves are often available all through the winter[K].

Flowers - raw or cooked. They make an attractive garnish to salads[4, 183, 238, K], and can also be used as a cooked vegetable or in conserves etc[4][3]. Picked when first opened, the flowers are fermented with water and sugar to make a very pleasant and intoxicating wine[1].

Both the flowers and the leaves can be made into a syrup or a tea[3].

Flowers

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

Makes a good carpet in open woodland and on woodland edges[5][6]. Plants are best spaced about 35cm apart each way[7].
There are no material uses listed for Primula vulgaris.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Primroses have a very long history of medicinal use and has been particularly employed in treating conditions involving spasms, cramps, paralysis and rheumatic pains[8]. They are, however, considered to be less effective than the related P. veris[8]. The plant contains saponins, which have an expectorant effect, and salicylates which are the main ingredient of aspirin and have anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge effects[8]. This remedy should not be prescribed for pregnant women, patients who are sensitive to aspirin, or those taking anti-coagulant drugs such as warfarin[8].

The roots and the flowering herb are anodyne, antispasmodic, astringent, emetic, sedative and vermifuge[4]. An infusion of the roots is a good remedy against nervous headaches[4]. The roots are harvested in the autumn when two or three years old and dried for later use[4].

An ointment has been made from the plant and used for treating skin wounds[9].

Unknown part

Anodyne
Antispasmodic
Astringent
Emetic
Sedative
Vermifuge

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[10]. Sow stored seed in early spring in a cold frame[11]. Germination is inhibited by temperatures above 20°c[12]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in autumn. This is best done every other year[12].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Primula vulgaris. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a medium to heavy moisture retentive humus rich loam in a cool position with light to medium shade[12]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.

Plants are hardy to about -25°c[13]. A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[13]. The blooms have a characteristic fragrance of a mossy bank or a deciduous woodland[14].

This species hybridizes readily with P. elatior[15].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Primula vulgaris. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Primula vulgaris.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Primula vulgaris
Genus
Primula
Family
Primulaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
[8][4][9]
Material uses & Functions
[5][6][7]
Botanic
[15][12]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Soil surface
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
0.3 x 0.25 meters
Fertility
self fertile
Pollinators
Bees, Lepidoptera, Self
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

"image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. ()
  6. ? 6.06.1 Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland. ()
  7. ? 7.07.1 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
  10. ? Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. (1987-00-00)
  11. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.212.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
  14. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

"image:Primula vulgaris-1.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Primula_vulgaris&oldid=79697"
Facts about "Primula vulgaris"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyPrimulaceae +
Belongs to genusPrimula +
Functions asGround cover +
Has binomial namePrimula vulgaris +
Has common namePrimrose +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partFlowers +, Leaves + and Unknown part +
Has edible useUnknown use + and Tea +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure + and High wind +
Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Bees +, Lepidoptera + and Self +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone6 +
Has imagePrimula vulgaris-1.JPG +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has mature height0.3 +
Has mature width0.25 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAnodyne +, Antispasmodic +, Astringent +, Emetic +, Sedative + and Vermifuge +
Has primary imagePrimula vulgaris-1.JPG +
Has search nameprimula vulgaris + and primrose +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy namePrimula vulgaris +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Primula vulgaris +, Primula vulgaris +, Primula vulgaris +, Primula vulgaris +, Primula vulgaris +, Primula vulgaris +, Primula vulgaris +, Primula vulgaris + and Primula vulgaris +