Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Primula veris L.

Fully hardy, very variable, rosette-forming evergreen perennial with umbels of nodding, fragrant, deep yellow flowers in late winter and spring.  To 25cm.  There are a number of garden forms.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

Ancient garden plant.  Paxton’s and Johnson’s Dictionary also list the variety rubra.  ‘The Cowslip or Paigle.  Paralysis.  The stalks grow about six inches high, the leaves are a grass green above and whitish underneath, and the flowers yellow.  It grows in moist meadows and marshes, flowering in April.  The flowers are accounted cordial and beneficial to the nervous system, good against the epilepsy, palsy, apoplexy & pains in the head.  Some say they are anodyne & good to procure sleep for which purpose they make tea of them.  The leaves are used in warming, strengthening ointments, particularly the Unguent Nervinum.  Official preparations are the Simple Water, the Syrup, and the Conserve.’  [Blackwood pl.226/1737].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [H.197/1843].

Notes

Primula veris Mill. = Primula vulgaris Huds. which see.

Published Oct 14, 2009 - 02:36 PM | Last updated Jul 29, 2010 - 05:41 PM

Figured is the whole plant, root, rosette of oblong leaves and umbel of yellow flowers.  Blackwell pl.226, 1737.

Primula veris L. | Blackwell pl.226/1737 | BHL

Family Primulaceae
Category
Region of origin

Europe to Asia

Synonyms
  • Primula officinalis Jacq. 
Common Name

Cowslip

Name in the Camden Park Record

Primula veris  

Confidence level high