Primula vulgaris Huds. (Pr/Prim)
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Primula vulgaris

Family: PRIMULACEAE
Genus: Primula
Species: vulgaris Huds. (Pr/Prim)
Common names: Primrose
Distribution summary: N Africa, W Asia & Europe
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: H5 - Hardy; cold winter
Habitat: Deciduous woods, scrub, hedgerows, calcareous woods
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Classical Europe & Middle East (M)
Flowering months: March
Reason for growing: Medicinal, other use
British Native: Yes

Additional Notes

Anodyne; antispasmodic; astringent; emetic; sedative and vermifuge.

Plants for a Future (2017) at www.plantsforafuture.org.uk. http://www.pfaf.org/USER/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Primula+vulgaris

Edible parts: flowers (raw or cooked), leaves (potherb or soup) and garnish on salads. A mild flavour, though the texture is a bit rough. Flowers picked when first opened, the flowers are fermented with water and sugar to make a very pleasant and intoxicating wine. Both the flowers and leaves can be made into a syrup or tea.

Plants for a Future (2017) at www.plantsforafuture.org.uk. http://www.pfaf.org/USER/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Primula+vulgaris

As a once-common plant of UK woodland and hedgerows, Primula vulgaris has appeared in various folk traditions. In Scotland, the flowers were picked and scattered across the front of homes, to attract ‘little people’. Their association with fairies extends into Ireland, where some farmers believed a scattering of cut primroses outside the barn would prevent fairies from stealing their milk.

Hatfield, G. (2007) Hatfield's Herbal. Penguin

The name ‘primrose’ is derived from the Latin ‘prima rosa’, which translates as first rose, referring to its early spring flowering.

Stearn, W.T. (1996). Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners. Cassell.

Africa, Northern Africa, Algeria

Africa, Northern Africa, Morocco

Asia-Temperate, Caucasus, North Caucasus

Asia-Temperate, Caucasus, Transcaucasus

Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Cyprus

Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Iran

Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Lebanon-Syria

Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Turkey

Europe, Eastern Europe, Ukraine

Europe, Eastern Europe, Northwest European Russia

Europe, Middle Europe, Austria

Europe, Middle Europe, Belgium

Europe, Middle Europe, Germany

Europe, Middle Europe, Hungary

Europe, Middle Europe, Netherlands

Europe, Middle Europe, Slovakia

Europe, Middle Europe, Switzerland

Europe, Northern Europe, Denmark

Europe, Northern Europe, Ireland

Europe, Northern Europe, Norway

Europe, Northern Europe, Great Britain

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Albania

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Greece

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Italy

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Romania

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Yugoslavia

Europe, Southwestern Europe, France

Europe, Southwestern Europe, Portugal

Europe, Southwestern Europe, Spain

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