Cowslip
Field carpeted with Cowslip, Dorset
Group of Cowslips
Flower head
Flower showing stamens
Stigmas and orange patches on petals
Crinkly leaves
Side view of spent capsule
Front view of spent capsule
Primula veris
Primulaceae
Late March to May
It is found in most of the country but less common in the
far SE and SW.
See the BSBI distribution map for Cowslip
Cowslips are found by streams, rivers and canals, in
meadows, open woods and scrubland, and by footpaths
and roads - especially on the banks beside motorways
and dual carriageways.
They are often sown in new habitats as they form part
of 'wild flower seed mixtures', however, they only last if
they are able to adapt to the habitat.
They prefer grassland on calcareous soils where they
carpet whole fields, as in picture 1.
Cowslip is a native, perennial, carpeting herb, growing
up to 30cm.
It has attractive, bright yellow flowers with a splash of
orange at the base of the petals.
The flower is formed by 5 joined petals held in a distinct
light green calyx.
Seeds are spread from a capsule.
Leaves are dark green, crinkly and smaller than those
of primroses.
They hybridise with Primrose, Garden Primrose and
Garden Polyantha to produce False Oxlip (see April
False Oxlip), which have larger flowers that range
from yellow to red.
The field in picture 1 contained many thousands of
Cowslips, but only 3 orange-red False Oxlips.
Previous page: Corkscrew Willow
Next page: Creeping Comfrey
Field carpeted with Cowslip, Dorset
Group of Cowslips
Flower head
Flower showing stamens
Stigmas and orange patches on petals
Crinkly leaves
Side view of spent capsule
Front view of spent capsule
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