Seasonal Wild Flowers

Primrose

Primula vulgaris

Primulaceae

February to May.

It can be earlier. They were in flower on grassy banks

in West Dorset on 10/12/2020.

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Primrose

It grows in shady habitats such as woods, hedge banks,

north-facing hillsides and beside roads and footpaths.

Primrose is a native, evergreen, patch-forming, perennial,

low-growing herb, growing up to 12cm.

The flowers have 5 pale yellow petals, a deep-yellow

centre (eye) and honey guides.

Thrum-eyed flowers have their anthers above the stigma

and pin-eyed flowers have their stigma above the anthers.

Seeds are usually spread by ants.

Leaves are green and crinkly.

A mauve form is occasionally found, usually near

habitation.

Primrose clump

Individual flower

Pin -eyed and thrum-eyed flowers

Close-up of pin-eyed stigma

Pin-eyed - stigma above stamens

Stamens in thrum-eyed Primrose

Thrum eyed - stigma below stamens

Close-up - thrum-eyed anthers with pollen

Crinkly leaves