Additional notes (click to expand)

Medicinal

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 link

Nomenclature

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.

Other use

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 link

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

Geographical distribution

  • 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, Northwest European Russia
  • Europe, Eastern Europe, Ukraine
  • 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, Great Britain
  • Europe, Northern Europe, Ireland
  • Europe, Northern Europe, Norway
  • 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

Primula vulgaris Huds. (Pr/Prim)

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


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