Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

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Primula vulgaris Huds.

primrose (Primulaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadNegligible tendencyNW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Primula vulgaris grows in woodland margins and hedgerows across the British Isles.

Vienna, Austria; 2005-03-23

 primrose / Primula vulgaris: _Primula vulgaris_ grows in woodland margins and hedgerows across the British Isles.

Primula vulgaris exhibits heterostyly, whereby different plants have different arrangements of stamens and stigmas. In this ‘thrum’ individual, the stamens are long and the carpel is short.

Reichenau, Austria; 2006-07-14

 primrose / Primula vulgaris: _Primula vulgaris_ exhibits heterostyly, whereby different plants have different arrangements of stamens and stigmas. In this ‘thrum’ individual, the stamens are long and the carpel is short.

In this ‘pin’ individual, the stamens are short and the carpel is long.

Reichenau, Austria; 2006-07-14

 primrose / Primula vulgaris: In this ‘pin’ individual, the stamens are short and the carpel is long.

Although Primula vulgaris usually produces its umbels of flowers at ground level, occasional plants have a tall scape like P. elatior or P. × polyantha; their tapering-based leaves reveal them to be P. vulgaris.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2019-03-28

 primrose / Primula vulgaris: Although _Primula vulgaris_ usually produces its umbels of flowers at ground level, occasional plants have a tall scape like _P. elatior_ or _P._ × _polyantha_; their tapering-based leaves reveal them to be _P. vulgaris_.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne