View source for Primula

{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Automatic taxobox
|image=Prolećno cveće 3.JPG
|image_caption=''[[Primula vulgaris]]''
|taxon=Primula
|authority=[[Carl Linnaeus|L.]] (1753)
|subdivision_ranks = Species
|subdivision = 528; see text
|subdivision_ref = <ref name = powo>[https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30005261-2 ''Primula'' L.] ''[[Plants of the World Online]]''. Retrieved 8 April 2024.</ref>
|synonyms=
*''Aleuritia'' <small>(Duby) Opiz</small>
*''Aretia'' <small>Link</small>
*''Auganthus'' <small>Link</small>
*''Auricula'' <small>Hill</small>
*''Auricula-ursi'' <small>Ség.</small>
*''Cankrienia'' <small>de Vriese</small>
*''Carolinella'' <small>Hemsl.</small>
*''× Cortoprimula'' <small>Zeman</small>
*''[[Cortusa]]'' <small>L.</small>
*''Dodecatheon'' <small>L.</small>
*''Evotrochis'' <small>Raf.</small>
*''Exinia'' <small>Raf.</small>
*''Kablikia'' <small>Opiz</small>
*''Meadia'' <small>Mill.</small>
*''Oscaria'' <small>Lilja</small>
*''Paralysis'' <small>Hill</small>
*''Primulidium'' <small>Spach</small>
*''Sredinskya'' <small>(Stein) Fed.</small>
|type_species=''[[Primula veris]]'' <small>[[L.]]</small>
}}
'''''Primula''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|r|ɪ|m|j|ʊ|l|ə}})<ref>{{cite book |title=Sunset Western Garden Book |year=1995 |pages=606–07}}</ref> is a [[genus]] of [[herbaceous plant|herbaceous]]<ref name=RHSAZ>{{cite encyclopedia |title=RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants |year=2008 |publisher=[[DK (publisher)|Dorling Kindersley]] |location=United Kingdom |isbn=978-1405332965 |page=1136}}</ref> [[flowering plant]]s in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Primulaceae]]. They include the primrose (''[[Primula vulgaris|P. vulgaris]]''), a familiar [[wildflower]] of banks and verges. Other common species are ''[[Primula auricula|P. auricula]]'' (auricula), ''[[Primula veris|P. veris]]'' (cowslip), and ''[[Primula elatior|P. elatior]]'' (oxlip). These species and many others are valued for their ornamental [[flower]]s. They have been extensively cultivated and [[Hybrid (biology)#Hybrid plants|hybridised]] (in the case of the primrose, for many hundreds of years). ''Primula'' are [[native plant|native]] to the [[temperate climate|temperate]] [[Northern Hemisphere]], south into tropical mountains in [[Ethiopia]], [[Indonesia]], and [[New Guinea]], and in temperate southern [[South America]]. Almost half of the known species are from the [[Himalayas]].<ref name=RHSAZ/>
''Primula'' has over 500 species in traditional treatments, and more if certain related genera are included within its [[circumscription (taxonomy)|circumscription]].<ref name=fna>{{Cite web|title=Primula in Flora of North America @ efloras.org|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=126719|access-date=2023-02-19|website=www.efloras.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013152553/http://efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=126719|archive-date=October 13, 2013}}</ref>
==Description==
''Primula'' is a complex and varied genus, with a range of habitats from alpine slopes to boggy meadows. Plants bloom mostly during the spring, with flowers often appearing in spherical umbels on stout stems arising from basal rosettes of leaves; their flowers can be purple, yellow, red, pink, blue, or white. Some species show a white mealy bloom (farina) on various parts of the plant.<ref name=RHSAZ/> Many species are adapted to [[alpine climate]]s.
==Taxonomy==
''Primula'' was known at least as early as the mediaeval [[herbalists]], although first formally described as a [[genus]] by [[Linnaeus]] in 1753,{{sfn|Linnaeus|1753}} and later in 1754 in his ''Flora Anglica''. Linnaeus described seven species of ''Primula''. One of its earliest scientific treatments was that of [[Charles Darwin]] study of [[heterostyly]] in 1877 (''[[The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species|The different forms of flowers on plants of the same species]]''). Since then, heterostyly (and homostyly) have remained important considerations in the [[taxonomic classification]] of Primula.{{sfn|Mast et al|2001}}{{sfn|Gilmartin|2015}} Primula is a member of the Primulaceae [[Family (biology)|family]]. The most complete treatment of the family, with nearly 1000 [[species]] arranged into 22 genera, was by [[Ferdinand Albin Pax|Pax]] and [[Reinhard Gustav Paul Knuth|Knuth]] in 1905.{{sfn|Martins et al|2003}}
=== Phylogeny ===
''Primula'' is the largest genus in the family [[Primulaceae]], within which it is placed in the subfamily [[Primuloideae]], being the nominative genus.{{sfn|Kovtonyuk|Goncharov|2009}}
The position of ''Primula'' within the family and its relationship to other genera is shown in this [[cladogram]]:
{{clade|style=font-size:100%;line-height:100%;
|label1=&nbsp; '''Primulaceae''' ''[[sensu lato|s.l.]]'' &nbsp;
|1={{clade
|label1=[[Maesoideae]]
|1=''[[Maesa]]''
|label2=&nbsp; [[Theophrastaceae]] &nbsp;
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Clavija]]''
|2=''[[Samolus]]''
}}
|label3='''Primulaceae'''
|3={{clade
|1=''Primula''
|label2=&nbsp; [[Myrsinaceae]] &nbsp;
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Lysimachia]]''
|2=''[[Myrsine]]''
}}
}}
}}
}}
==== Classification ====
The genus ''Dodecatheon'' originated from within ''Primula'', its species are now included in ''Primula''.<ref name="weakley">{{cite web |url=http://www.herbarium.unc.edu/flora.htm |title=''Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia, and Surrounding Areas'' |author=Weakley, A. S. |date=2008 |access-date=2009-06-08 |archive-date=2018-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006082209/http://herbarium.unc.edu/flora.htm |url-status=live }} UNC Herbarium, North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.</ref>
===== Sections of genus ''Primula'' =====
The classification of the genus ''Primula'' has been investigated by botanists for over a century. As the genus is both large and diverse (with about 430–500 species), botanists have organized the species in various sub-generic groups. The most common is division into a series of thirty sections.<ref name="Ingwersen">{{cite book |last=Ingwersen |first=Will |title=Ingwersen's Manual of Alpine Plants |year=1986 |orig-year=1978 |publisher=Timber Press |location=Portland |isbn=978-0-88192-026-0}}</ref><ref name="Green">{{cite book |last=Green |first=Roy |title=Asiatic Primulas |year=1986 |orig-year=1976 |publisher=Alpine Garden Society |location=Woking, Surrey, UK}}</ref> Some of these sections (e.g. ''Vernales'', ''Auricula'') contain many species; others contain only one.
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
*''Amethystina''
*''Auricula''
*''Bullatae''
*''Candelabra''
*''Capitatae''
*''Carolinella''
*''Cortusoides''
*''Cuneifolia''
*''Denticulata''
*''Dryadifolia''
*''Farinosae''
*''Floribundae''
*''Grandis''
*''Malacoidea''
*''Malvacea''
*''Minutissimae''
*''Muscaroides''
*''Nivales''
*''Obconica''
*''Parryi''
*''Petiolares''
*''Pinnatae''
*''Pycnoloba''
*''Reinii''
*''Rotundifolia''
*''Sikkimensis''
*''Sinenses''
*''Soldanelloideae''
*''Souliei''
*''Vernales''
{{div col end}}
===Selected species===
{{Main|List of Primula species|l1=List of ''Primula'' species}}
Species include:<ref name=china>{{Cite web|title=Primula|url=http://www.efloras.org/browse.aspx?flora_id=2&start_taxon_id=126719|access-date=2023-02-19|website=www.efloras.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015020926/http://efloras.org/browse.aspx?flora_id=2&start_taxon_id=126719 |archive-date=October 15, 2013}}</ref><ref name=fna-list>{{Cite web|title=Primula|url=http://www.efloras.org/browse.aspx?flora_id=1&start_taxon_id=126719|access-date=2023-02-19|website=www.efloras.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013224727/http://efloras.org/browse.aspx?flora_id=1&start_taxon_id=126719 |archive-date=October 13, 2013}}</ref><ref name=grin>[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?9834 GRIN Species Records of ''Primula''.] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924124239/http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?9834 |date=2015-09-24 }} Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).</ref>
[[File:Primula algida, Գնարբուկ սառը, Первоцвет холодный - panoramio.jpg|thumb|''Primula algida'']]
[[File:Primula aurantiaca 2017-06-25 3083.jpg|thumb|''Primula auriantaca'']]
[[File:Primula beesiana in Dunedin Botanic Garden 02.jpg|thumb|''Primula beesiana'']]
*''[[Primula alcalina]]'' (bluedome primrose)
*''[[Primula algida]]''
*''[[Primula aliciae]]''
*''[[Primula allionii]]'' (Allioni's primrose)
*''[[Primula alpicola]]'' (moonlight primrose)
*''[[Primula amethystina]]''
*''[[Primula angustifolia]]'' (alpine primrose)
*''[[Primula anisodora]]'' (anise primrose)
*''[[Primula anvilensis]]'' (boreal primrose)
*''[[Primula appenina]]''
*''[[Primula arunachalensis]]''<ref name=basak>Basak, S. K. and G. G. Maiti. 2000. ''Primula arunachalensis'' sp. nov. (Primulaceae) from the Eastern Himalaya. ''Acta Phytotax. Geobot.'' 51(1) 11-15.</ref>
*''[[Primula atrodentata]]''
*''[[Primula aurantiaca]]'' (''primevère à fleurs oranges'')
*''[[Primula aureata]]''
*''[[Primula auricula]]'' (auricula, bear's ear)
*''[[Primula auriculata]]''
*''[[Primula bathangensis]]''
*''[[Primula beesiana]]'' (candelabra primrose)
*''[[Primula bella]]''
*''[[Primula bellidifolia]]''
*''[[Primula bergenioides]]''<ref name=ming>Ming, H. C. and G. Y. Ying. (2003). [http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/novon/novo-13-02-196.pdf Two new species of ''Primula'' (Primulaceae) from China.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051114/http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/novon/novo-13-02-196.pdf |date=2016-03-04 }} ''Novon'' 13 196-199.</ref>
*''[[Primula bhutanica]]''
*''[[Primula blattariformis]]''
*''[[Primula boothii]]''
*''[[Primula borealis]]'' (northern primrose)
*''[[Primula bracteosa]]''
*''[[Primula bulleyana]]'' (candelabra primrose)
[[File:Primula capitata ssp mooreana 5.JPG|thumb|right|''[[Primula capitata]]'' ssp. ''mooreana'']]
[[File:Primula clarkei 01.jpg|thumb|''Primula clarkei'']]
[[File:Primula denticulata (Sakhalin) 3.JPG|thumb|right|''[[Primula denticulata]]'']]
[[File:Essex Oxlip - geograph.org.uk - 403865.jpg|thumb|''Primula elatior'' (oxlip)]]
[[File:Primula florindae inflorescence.jpg|thumb|''Primula florindae'']]
*''[[Primula calderiana]]''
*''[[Primula calliantha]]''
*''[[Primula calyptrata]]''<ref name=xun>Xun, G. and F. Rhui-cheng. (2003). [http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/China/novon/novo-13-02-193.pdf ''Primula calyptrata'', a new species in section ''Carolinella'' (Primulaceae) from Yunnan, China.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110336/http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/China/novon/novo-13-02-193.pdf |date=2016-03-04 }} ''Novon'' 13 193-95.</ref>
*''[[Primula capillaris]]'' (Ruby Mountain primrose)
*''[[Primula capitata]]''
**''Primula capitata'' ssp. ''mooreana''
**''Primula capitata'' ssp. ''crispata''
*''[[Primula capitellata]]''
*''[[Primula carniolica]]''<ref>{{Cite iucn |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/161964/5521086 |title=The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |date=24 June 2010 |access-date=2018-11-15}}</ref> (Carniolan primrose)
*''[[Primula caveana]]''
*''[[Primula cawdoriana]]''
*''[[Primula cernua]]''
*''[[Primula chionantha]]''
*''[[Primula chumbiensis]]''
*''[[Primula chungensis]]''
*''[[Primula chasmophila]]''
*''[[Primula clarkei]]''
*''[[Primula clusiana]]''
*''[[Primula clutterbuckii]]''
*''[[Primula cockburniana]]''
*''[[Primula concholoba]]''
*''[[Primula concinna]]''
*''[[Primula conspersa]]''
*''[[Primula cortusoides]]''
*''[[Primula cuneifolia]]'' (wedgeleaf primrose, pixie-eye primrose)
*''[[Primula cusickiana]]'' (Cusick's primrose)
*''[[Primula daonensis]]''
*''[[Primula darialica]]''
*''[[Primula davidii]]''
*''[[Primula deflexa]]''
*''[[Primula denticulata]]'' (drumstick primrose, Himalayan primrose)
*''[[Primula deorum]]'' (Rila primrose, Rila cowslip, God's cowslip)
*''[[Primula deuteronana]]''
*''[[Primula dryadifolia]]''
*''[[Primula edgeworthii]]''
*''[[Primula egaliksensis]]'' (Greenland primrose)
*''[[Primula elatior]]'' (oxlip, true oxlip, oxslip)
*''[[Primula elizabethiae]]''
*''[[Primula elongata]]''
*''[[Primula erythrocarpa]]''
*''[[Primula farinosa]]'' (birdseye primrose)
*''[[Primula farreriana]]''
*''[[Primula fedschenkoi]]''
*''[[Primula fenghwaiana]]''<ref name=hu>{{Cite journal|last1=Hu|first1=C. M.|last2=Hao|first2=G.|title=New and Noteworthy Species of Primula (Primulaceae) from China |date=June 2011|journal=Edinburgh Journal of Botany|language=en|volume=68|issue=2|pages=297–300|doi=10.1017/S096042861100014X|issn=1474-0036|doi-access=free}}</ref>
*''[[Primula filchnerae]]''
*''[[Primula filipes]]''
*''[[Primula firmipes]]''
*''[[Primula fistulosa]]''
*''[[Primula flaccida]]''
*''[[Primula floribunda]]''
*''[[Primula florindae]]'' (Himalayan cowslip, Tibetan cowslip)
*''[[Primula forrestii]]''
*''[[Primula frondosa]]''
[[File:Primula glutinosa.jpg|thumb|''Primula glutinosa'']]
[[File:Primula helodoxa - Savill Garden - Windsor Great Park, England - DSC06424.jpg|thumb|''Primula helodoxa'']]
[[File:Primula japonica 2.jpg|thumb|''Primula japonica'']]
*''[[Primula gambeliana]]''
*''[[Primula gemmifera]]''
*''[[Primula geraniifolia]]''
*''[[Primula giraldiana]]''
*''[[Primula glabra]]''
*''[[Primula glaucescens]]''
*''[[Primula glomerata]]''
*''[[Primula glutinosa]]''
*''[[Primula gracilenta]]''
*''[[Primula gracillipes]]''
*''[[Primula griffithii]]''
*''[[Primula halleri]]'' (long-flowered primrose, Haller's primrose)
*''[[Primula helodoxa]]''
*''[[Primula hendersonii]]'' (broad-leaved shootingstar, Henderson's shootingstar, mosquito-bill, sailor caps)
*''[[Primula heucherifolia]]''
*''[[Primula hirsuta]]'' (stinking primrose)
*''[[Primula hookeri]]''
*''[[Primula incana]]'' (silvery primrose, mealy primrose)
*''[[Primula interjacens]]''
*''[[Primula involucrata]]''
*''[[Primula ioessa]]''
*''[[Primula irregularis]]''
*''[[Primula japonica]]'' (Japanese primrose, Japanese cowslip)
*''[[Primula jesoana]]''
*''[[Primula jigmediana]]''
*''[[Primula juliae]]'' (Julia's primrose, purple primrose)
*''[[Primula kingii]]''
*''[[Primula kisoana]]''
*''[[Primula kitaibeliana]]'' (Kitaibel's primrose)
*''[[Primula klattii]]''
*''[[Primula laurentiana]]'' (birdseye primrose)
*''[[Primula lihengiana]]''<ref name=li>Li, R. and C. M. Hu. (2009). [http://www.sekj.org/PDF/anb46-free/anb46-130.pdf ''Primula lihengiana'' (Primulaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023014056/http://www.sekj.org/PDF/anb46-free/anb46-130.pdf |date=2014-10-23 }} ''Annales Botanici Fennici'' 46(2) 130-32</ref>
[[File:Primula marginata 07.jpg|thumb|''Primula marginata'']]
[[File:Primula megaseifolia 003 GotBot 2016.jpg|thumb|''Primula megaseifolia'']]
*''[[Primula listeri]]''
*''[[Primula longiscapa]]''
*''[[Primula lutea]]''
*''[[Primula luteola]]''
*''[[Primula macrophylla]]'' (largeleaf primrose)
*''[[Primula magellanica]]''
*''[[Primula malacoides]]'' (fairy primrose, baby primrose)
*''[[Primula malvacea]]''
*''[[Primula marginata]]'' (marginate primrose)
*''[[Primula megaseifolia]]''
*''[[Primula melanantha]]''<ref name=rankin>{{Cite journal |doi=10.1111/j.1467-8748.2012.01768.x |title=726. Primula Melanantha |journal=Curtis's Botanical Magazine |volume=29 |pages=18–33 |year=2012 |last1=Rankin |first1=David W. H.}}</ref>
*''[[Primula melanops]]''
*''[[Primula minima]]'' (dwarf primrose)
*''[[Primula minor]]''
*''[[Primula mistassinica]]'' (Mistassini primrose)
*''[[Primula modesta]]''
*''[[Primula mollis]]''
*''[[Primula moupinensis]]''<ref name=rix>{{Cite journal |doi=10.1111/j.1355-4905.2005.00477.x |title=529. Primula Moupinensis. Primulaceae |journal=Curtis's Botanical Magazine |volume=22 |issue=2 |pages=119–123 |year=2005 |last1=Rix |first1=Martyn}}</ref>
[[Image:Primula prolifera 1.jpg|right|thumb|''[[Primula prolifera]]'']]
[[File:Primula rosea I IMG 7210.jpg|thumb|''Primula rosea'']]
[[Image:Primula sieboldii RB.jpg|right|thumb|''[[Primula sieboldii]]'']]
*''[[Primula munroi]]''
*''[[Primula muscarioides]]''
*''[[Primula nipponica]]''
*''[[Primula nivalis]]'' (snowy primrose)
*''[[Primula obconica]]'' (poison primrose, German primrose)
*''[[Primula orbicularis]]''
[[File:Primula veris01.jpg|thumb|''Primula veris'']]
[[File:Orchid primrose.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Primula vialii]]'']]
[[Image:Auricula(1).jpg|right|thumb|''Primula'' × ''pubescens'']]
*''[[Primula palinuri]]''<ref>{{Cite iucn |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/161810/5498316 |title=The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |date=10 September 2008 |access-date=2018-11-15}}</ref>
*''[[Primula parryi]]'' (Parry's primrose)
*''[[Primula pedemontana]]''
*''[[Primula petelotii]]''<ref name=hu/>
*''[[Primula petiolaris]]''
*''[[Primula pinnatifida]]''
*''[[Primula poissonii]]''
*''[[Primula polyneura]]''
*''[[Primula prenantha]]''
*''[[Primula prolifera]]'' (glory-of-the-marsh)
*''[[Primula pulchella]]''
*''[[Primula pulverulenta]]'' (mealy cowslip)
*''[[Primula pumila]]'' (arctic primrose)
*''[[Primula reidii]]''
*''[[Primula reinii]]''
*''[[Primula renifolia]]''
*''[[Primula reptans]]''
*''[[Primula reticulata]]''
*''[[Primula rockii]]''
*''[[Primula rosea]]'' (Himalayan meadow primrose)
*''[[Primula rotundifolia]]''
*''[[Primula rusbyi]]'' (Rusby's primrose)
*''[[Primula sapphirina]]''
*''[[Primula saxatilis]]'' (rock primrose)
*''[[Primula scandinavica]]''<ref>{{Cite iucn |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/162034/5537464 |title=The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |date=23 June 2010 |access-date=2018-11-15}}</ref> (Scandinavian primrose)
*''[[Primula scapigera]]''
*''[[Primula scotica]]'' (Scottish primrose)
*''[[Primula secundiflora]]''
*''[[Primula septemloba]]''
*''[[Primula serratifolia]]''
*''[[Primula sheriffii]]''
*''[[Primula sieboldii]]'' (Japanese primrose)
*''[[Primula sikkimensis]]'' (Sikkim cowslip)
*''[[Primula sinensis]]'' (syn. ''P. praenitens'')
*''[[Primula sinolisteri]]''
*''[[Primula sinomollis]]''
*''[[Primula soldanelloides]]''
*''[[Primula sonchifolia]]''
*''[[Primula souliei]]''
*''[[Primula spectabilis]]''<ref>{{Cite iucn |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/161891/5509776 |title=The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |date=13 January 2011 |access-date=2018-11-15}}</ref>
*''[[Primula specuicola]]'' (alcove primrose, cave-dwelling primrose)
*''[[Primula stricta]]'' (coastal primrose, strict primrose)
*''[[Primula strumosa]]''
*''[[Primula suffrutescens]]'' (Sierra primrose)
*''[[Primula szechuanica]]''
*''[[Primula takedana]]''
*''[[Primula tanneri]]''
*''[[Primula tardiflora]]''<ref name=chi>{{Cite journal|title=New Taxa and Combinations in Chinese Primulaceae|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/partpdf/20918|access-date=2023-02-19|first=H. |last=Chi-Ming |journal=Novon |date=1994 |pages=103–105 |volume=4 |issue=2|doi=10.2307/3391576 |jstor=3391576 }}</ref>
*''[[Primula tenella]]''
*''[[Primula tenuiloba]]''
*''[[Primula tenuituba]]''<ref name=ming/>
*''[[Primula tibetica]]''
*''[[Primula tschuktschorum]]'' (Chukchi primrose)
*''[[Primula tyrolensis]]''
*''[[Primula vaginata]]''
*''[[Primula valentiniana]]''
*''[[Primula veris]]'' (cowslip)
*''[[Primula verticillata]]''<ref name=kewensis>[http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Primula-verticillata.htm ''Primula verticillata'' (yellow primrose).] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905161039/http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Primula-verticillata.htm |date=2012-09-05 }} Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.</ref> (yellow primrose)
*''[[Primula vialii]]'' (wayside primrose, pagoda primrose, orchid primrose, poker primrose)
*''[[Primula villosa]]''
*''[[Primula vulgaris]]'' (primrose)
*''[[Primula waltonii]]''
*''[[Primula watsonii]]''
*''[[Primula warshenewskiana]]''
*''[[Primula whitei]]''
*''[[Primula wilsonii]]''
*''[[Primula wollastonii]]'' (Wollaston's primrose)
*''[[Primula wulfeniana]]'' (Wulfen's primrose)
*''[[Primula xanthopa]]''
*''[[Primula yunnanensis]]''
*''[[Primula yuparensis]]''
===Etymology===
The word ''primula'' is the Latin feminine [[diminutive]] of ''primus'', meaning first (prime), applied to flowers that are among the first to open in spring.<ref name=AZPLA>{{cite book |last=Coombes |first=Allen J. |title=The A to Z of Plant Names |year=2012 |publisher=Timber Press |location=USA |isbn=9781604691962 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781604691962/page/242 242] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781604691962/page/242}}</ref>
==Distribution and habitat==
Although there are over 400 species of ''Primula'', about 75% are found in the eastern [[Himalayan mountain range|Himalayan mountain chain]] and western China ([[Yunnan Province]]), constituting a [[centre of diversity]]. Other centres of diversity are a western Asian centre ([[Caucasus]], European mountain ranges from the [[Pyrenees]], through the [[Alps]] to the [[Carpathian Mountains]]), mountains of East Asia and those of western North America. ''Primula'' is found in mountainous or higher latitude zones of North America, Europe, and Asia, with extension into South America, Africa (mountains of Ethiopia) and tropical Asia (islands of Java and Sumatra).{{sfn|Mast et al|2001}}{{sfn|Kovtonyuk|Goncharov|2009}} About 25 species occur in North America (represented in five sections).{{sfn|Kelso|1991}}
''Primula'' is found in the humid and moderate climate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, predominantly in the forest belt, plain meadows, Alpine lawns, and [[Nival zone|nival]] and meadow [[tundras]].{{sfn|Kovtonyuk|Goncharov|2009}}
== Ecology ==
Primulas are used as a food plant by the [[Hamearis lucina|Duke of Burgundy butterfly]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK Butterflies - Larval Foodplants |url=http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/foodplants.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501005458/http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/foodplants.php |archive-date=2017-05-01 |access-date=2017-04-24}}</ref>
==Cultivation==
''Primula'' species have been extensively cultivated and [[Hybrid (biology)#Hybrid plants|hybridised]], mainly derived from ''P. elatior'', ''P. juliae'', ''P. veris'' and ''P. vulgaris''. Polyanthus (''[[Primula × polyantha]]'') is one such group of plants, which has produced a large variety of strains in all colours, usually grown as [[annual plant|annuals]] or [[biennial plant|biennials]] and available as seeds or young plants.<ref>{{cite book |title=Reader's Digest Encyclopedia of Garden Plants & Flowers, 2nd edition |year=1978 |publisher=Reader's Digest Association |location=United Kingdom}}</ref>
Another huge range of cultivars, known as auriculas, are derived from crosses between ''P. auricula'' and ''P. hirsuta'' (among others). Specialist nurseries and auricula societies<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.auriculaandprimula.org.uk/ |title=Welcome to The National Auricula & Primula Society: Midland & West Section |publisher=National Auricula Society |access-date=18 February 2021 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126144932/http://www.auriculaandprimula.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> support the growing and showing of these choice strains.
===AGM cultivars===
The following hybrid varieties and [[cultivars]] have gained the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s [[Award of Garden Merit]]:-<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf |title=AGM Plants - Ornamental |date=July 2017 |page=81 |publisher=Royal Horticultural Society |access-date=14 May 2018 |archive-date=5 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105180412/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*'Broadwell Milkmaid' (auri)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/131936/Primula-Broadwell-Milkmaid-(Au)/Details |title=''Primula'' 'Broadwell Milkmaid' |publisher=RHS |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413141518/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/131936/primula-broadwell-milkmaid-(au)/details |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Charisma series (prim)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/176795/Primula-Charisma-Series-(Pr-Prim)/Details |title=''Primula'' 'Charisma Series' |publisher=RHS |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413141451/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/176795/primula-charisma-series-(pr-prim)/details |url-status=live }}</ref>
*'Clarence Elliott' (auri)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/58003/Primula-Clarence-Elliott-(Au)/Details |title=''Primula'' 'Clarence Elliott' |publisher=RHS |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413141523/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/58003/primula-clarence-elliott-(au)/details |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Crescendo Series (poly)
**'Crescendo Blue Shades'<ref>{{cite web |title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Primula'' 'Crescendo Blue Shades' |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/124251/Primula-Crescendo-Blue-Shades-(Crescendo-Series)-(Pr-Poly)/Details |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413141504/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/124251/primula-crescendo-blue-shades-(crescendo-series)-(pr-poly)/details |url-status=live }}</ref>
**'Crescendo Bright Red'<ref>{{cite web |title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Primula'' 'Crescendo Bright Red' |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/124252/Primula-Crescendo-Bright-Red-(Crescendo-Series)-(Pr-Poly)/Details |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413141534/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/124252/primula-crescendo-bright-red-(crescendo-series)-(pr-poly)/details |url-status=live }}</ref>
<!-- AGM withdrawn**'Crescendo Golden'<ref>{{cite web |title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Primula'' 'Crescendo Golden' |url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3879 |access-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515011732/http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3879 |archive-date=15 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>-->
**'Crescendo Pink and Rose Shades'<ref>{{cite web |title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Primula'' 'Crescendo Pink and Rose Shades' |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/124254/Primula-Crescendo-Pink-and-Rose-Shades-(Crescendo-Series)-(Pr-Poly)/Details |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413141505/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/124254/primula-crescendo-pink-and-rose-shades-(crescendo-series)-(pr-poly)/details |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Danova Series (prim)<ref>{{cite web |title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Primula'' Danova Series |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/176796/Primula-Danova-Series-(Pr-Prim)/Details |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413141511/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/176796/primula-danova-series-(pr-prim)/details |url-status=live }}</ref>
<!-- AGM withdrawn**'Danova Purple, White Edge'<ref>{{cite web |title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Primula'' 'Danova Purple, White Edge' |url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3881 |access-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515004920/http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3881 |archive-date=15 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>-->
**'Danova Rose'<ref>{{cite web |title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Primula'' 'Danova Rose' |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/104927/Primula-Danova-Rose-(Danova-Series)-(Pr-Prim)/Details |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413141536/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/104927/primula-danova-rose-(danova-series)-(pr-prim)/details |url-status=live }}</ref>
*'Francisca' (poly)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/166302/Primula-Francisca-(Pr-Poly)/Details |title=''Primula'' 'Francisca' |publisher=RHS |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413141518/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/166302/primula-francisca-(pr-poly)/details |url-status=live }}</ref>
*'Guinevere' (poly)<ref>{{cite web |title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Primula'' 'Guinevere' |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/97804/Primula-Guinevere-(Pr-Poly)/Details |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=7 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707052658/https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/97804/Primula-Guinevere-(Pr-Poly)/Details |url-status=live }}</ref>
*''Primula'' × ''loiseleurii'' 'Aire Mist' (auri)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/214773/Primula-x-loiseleurii-Aire-Mist-(Au)/Details |title=''Primula'' × ''loiseleurii'' 'Aire Mist' |publisher=RHS |access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref>
*''Primula'' × ''pubescens'' (auri)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/93544/Primula-x-pubescens-(Au)/Details |title=''Primula'' × ''pubescens'' |publisher=RHS |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413141524/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/93544/primula-x-pubescens-(au)/details |url-status=live }}</ref>
<!-- AGM withdrawn*Rainbow Series
**'Rainbow Blue shades'<ref>{{cite web |title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Primula'' 'Rainbow Blue shades' |url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3885 |access-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515023847/http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3885 |archive-date=15 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
**'Rainbow Cream Shades'<ref>{{cite web |title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Primula'' 'Rainbow Cream Shades' |url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3886 |access-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515003354/http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3886 |archive-date=15 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
**'Rainbow Scarlet Shades'<ref>{{cite web |title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Primula'' 'Rainbow Scarlet Shades' |url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3887 |access-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515010402/http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3887 |archive-date=15 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>-->
*'Tony' (auri)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/112098/Primula-Tony-(Au)/Details |title=''Primula'' 'Tony' |publisher=RHS |access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref>
*'Wanda' (prim)<ref>{{cite web |title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Primula'' 'Wanda' |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/90583/Primula-Wanda-(Pr-Prim)/Details |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127181028/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/90583/Primula-Wanda-(Pr-Prim)/Details |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{div col end}}
===Hybrids===
*''[[Primula × kewensis]]''=''P. floribunda'' × ''P. verticillata'' (Kew primrose)<ref name=kewensis/>
*''[[Primula × polyantha]]''=''P. veris'' × ''P. vulgaris'' (false oxlip, polyanthus primula)<ref name=polyantha>{{GRIN |''Primula'' × ''polyantha'' |29671 |access-date=12 December 2017}}</ref>
*''[[Primula × pubescens]]''=''P. hirsuta'' × ''P. auricula''
==References==
<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299247893_Evolution_and_conservation_of_Sinai's_primrose_Primula_boveana_an_endangered_pre-glacial_relict_species_growing_on_Sinai_Mountain_Egypt, Moustafa, Abdelraouf & Mauricio, R & Mansour, Hassan (2016).</ref>
{{Reflist}}
==Bibliography==
{{refbegin|30em}}
*{{cite book |last=Linnaeus |first=Carl |authorlink=Linnaeus |title=Species Plantarum: exhibentes plantas rite cognitas, ad genera relatas, cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/669#/summary |year=1753 |volume=1 |chapter=Primula |chapter-url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/13829#page/154/mode/2up |pages=142–144 |publisher=Impensis Laurentii Salvii |location=Stockholm |access-date=2021-06-04 |archive-date=2020-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506044412/https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/669#/summary |url-status=live }}, ''see also'' [[Species Plantarum]]
*{{cite journal |last1=Gilmartin |first1=Philip M. |title=On the origins of observations of heterostyly in Primula |journal=[[New Phytologist]] |date=2015 |volume=208 |issue=1 |pages=39–51 |doi=10.1111/nph.13558 |pmid=26255981|doi-access=free }}
*{{cite journal |last1=Kelso |first1=Sylvia |title=Taxonomy of Primula Sects. Aleuritia and Armerina in North America |journal=[[Rhodora (journal)|Rhodora]] |date=1991 |volume=93 |issue=873 |pages=67–99 |jstor=23312756}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Kovtonyuk |first1=N. K. |last2=Goncharov |first2=A. A. |title=Phylogenetic relationships in the genus Primula L. (Primulaceae) inferred from the ITS region sequences of nuclear rDNA |journal=[[Russian Journal of Genetics]] |date=June 2009 |volume=45 |issue=6 |pages=663–670 |doi=10.1134/S1022795409060052 |s2cid=30118798}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Martins |first1=L. |last2=Oberprieler |first2=C. |last3=Hellwig |first3=F. H. |title=A phylogenetic analysis of Primulaceae s.l. based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) DNA sequence data |journal=[[Plant Systematics and Evolution]] |date=2003 |volume=237 |issue=1–2 |pages=75–85 |doi=10.1007/s00606-002-0258-1 |bibcode=2003PSyEv.237...75M |s2cid=43988431 |ref={{harvid|Martins et al|2003}}}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Mast |first1=Austin R. |last2=Kelso |first2=Sylvia |last3=Richards |first3=A. John |last4=Lang |first4=Daniela J. |last5=Feller |first5=Danielle M. S. |last6=Conti |first6=Elena |title=Phylogenetic Relationships in Primula L. and Related Genera (Primulaceae) Based on Noncoding Chloroplast DNA |journal=[[International Journal of Plant Sciences]] |date=2001 |volume=162 |issue=6 |pages=1381–1400 |doi=10.1086/323444 |jstor=323444 |s2cid=59929813 |ref={{harvid|Mast et al|2001}}}}
*{{cite web |title=The American Primrose Society |url=https://americanprimrosesociety.org |access-date=6 June 2021 |ref={{harvid|APS|2021}} |archive-date=6 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606023036/https://americanprimrosesociety.org/ |url-status=live }}
===Species===
*{{cite journal |last1=Basak |first1=Sandip Kumar |last2=Maiti |first2=G. G. |title=Primula arunachalensis sp. nov. (Primulaceae) from the Eastern Himalaya |journal=Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica |date=2000 |volume=51 |issue=1 |pages=11–15 |doi=10.18942/bunruichiri.KJ00001077444}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Ming |first1=Hu Chi |last2=Ying |first2=Geng Yu |title=Two New Species of Primula (Primulaceae) from China |url=http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/novon/novo-13-02-196.pdf |journal=[[Novon]] |date=2003 |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=196–199 |doi=10.2307/3393518 |jstor=3393518 |access-date=2013-07-10 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051114/http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/novon/novo-13-02-196.pdf |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web |last1=Fu |first1=Kunjun |last2=Ohba |first2=Hideaki |last3=Gilbert |first3=Michael G. |title=Primula |url=http://www.efloras.org/browse.aspx?flora_id=2&start_taxon_id=126719 |page= |accessdate=4 June 2021 |year=2004 |ref={{harvid|Fu et al|2004}} |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515100650/http://www.efloras.org/browse.aspx?flora_id=2&start_taxon_id=126719 |url-status=live }}, in [[Flora of China (series)|Flora of China online]] vol. 15
*{{cite web |last1=Little |first1=R. John |last2=McKinney |first2=Landon E. |title=Primula |url=http://www.efloras.org/browse.aspx?flora_id=1&start_taxon_id=126719= |work=[[Flora of North America]] |year=2003 |volume=8 |accessdate=5 June 2021 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=New York |archive-date=6 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606024427/http://www.efloras.org/browse.aspx?flora_id=1&start_taxon_id=126719= |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web |last=GRIN |title=Species of Primula |url=https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomylist?category=species&type=genus&value=Primula&id=9834 |website=[[Germplasm Resources Information Network|U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (GRIN)]] |publisher=Agricultural Research Service, USDA |access-date=6 June 2021 |date=2021 |archive-date=6 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606025956/https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomylist?category=species&type=genus&value=Primula&id=9834 |url-status=live }}
{{refend}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}{{wikispecies}}
*[http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Primula Armeniapedia: Medicinal Uses of ''Primula'']
<ref>https://www.mutagens.co.in/jgb/vol.09/12/091204.pdf, CLIMATE CHANGE CAUSE EXTINCTION FOR Primula boveana FROM ITS NATURAL HABITATS IN SOUTH SINAI, EGYPT.Moustafa, A., & Mansour, S. (2020)</ref>
<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299247893_Evolution_and_conservation_of_Sinai's_primrose_Primula_boveana_an_endangered_pre-glacial_relict_species_growing_on_Sinai_Mountain_Egypt. Moustafa, A. A., Zaghloul, M.S., Mauricio, R., and Mansour, H. M. H. (2016).</ref>
<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281438454_Characteristics_of_two_endemic_and_endangered_species_Primula_boveana_and_Kickxia_macilenta_growing_in_south_Sinai. Moustafa, A. A., Ramadan, A. A., Zaghloulol, M.S., & Helmy, M. A., (2001).</ref>
{{Taxonbar|from=Q158974}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Primula| ]]
[[Category:Garden plants]]
[[Category:Primulaceae genera]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]