Primrose Primula vulgaris
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pin (above left) and thrum (above right) primrose flowers.
In the dissected flowers to the left, (1) labels the corolla or petal whorl, and (2) the calyx made of green sepals which protect the flower.  In the pin form (A) the female stigma (4) which collects pollen is raised to the opening of the flower on the long style. The pollen-bearing male stamens (3) are lower down ion the flower tube.
 
In the thrum flower (B) the situation is reversed.  When a long-tongued bee probes for the nectary at the base of the flower, pollen attaches at the top of the tongue in the thrum plant, and half way up in the pin.  This means that pollen collected from a thrum flower is perfectly placed to fertilise a pin flower, and vice versa, but not to fertilise a flower of the same type.
 
This is a clever out-breeding mechanism, reducing self-fertilisation and the genetic consequences of in-breeding.
A spring-flowering plant of woodland and hedge banks, primrose is seen as the first sign of spring’s arrival. It is widespread throughout the country in moist rich soils of woodland glades, margins and recently coppiced areas, hedge banks and damper areas of grassland. The flowers which have a delicate and memorable scent, grow from a nest of simple crinkled leaves that taper to the base.
 
On close inspection you will find that there are two types of flower. These are ‘pin-eyed’ primroses and ‘thrum-eyed primroses. In the pin-eyed the style and stigma are taller than the surrounding stamens. In thrum-eyed flowers the stamens are taller than the style and stigma. By undertaking experiments in his own garden, Charles Darwin proved that pollination between the two forms, where the pollen of thrum-eyed flowers is transferred to the stigma of a pin-eyed flower and vice-versa, resulted in greater seed production than pollination between the same forms.1.
 
 
Family – Primulaceae, Primrose family
 
Perennial up to 20cm tall
 
Flowering – March – May
 
Soil  - All soils types, acid to alkaline
 
Sun  -  Full sun or partial shade
Primrose Primula vulgaris
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Family – Primulaceae, Primrose family
Perennial up to 20cm tall
Flowering – March – May
Soil  - All soils types, acid to alkaline
Sun  -  Full sun or partial shade
A spring-flowering plant of woodland and hedge banks, primrose is seen as the first sign of spring’s arrival. It is widespread throughout the country in moist rich soils of woodland glades, margins and recently coppiced areas, hedge banks and damper areas of grassland. The flowers which have a delicate and memorable scent, grow from a nest of simple crinkled leaves that taper to the base.
 
On close inspection you will find that there are two types of flower. These are ‘pin-eyed’ primroses and ‘thrum-eyed primroses. In the pin-eyed the style and stigma are taller than the surrounding stamens. In thrum-eyed flowers the stamens are taller than the style and stigma. By undertaking experiments in his own garden, Charles Darwin proved that pollination between the two forms, where the pollen of thrum-eyed flowers is transferred to the stigma of a pin-eyed flower and vice-versa, resulted in greater seed production than pollination between the same forms.1.
 
Pin (top right) and thrum (below right) primrose flowers.  In the dissected flowers on the left, (1) labels the corolla or petal whorl, and (2) the calyx made of green sepals which protect the flower.  In the pin form (A) the female stigma (4) which collects pollen is raised to the opening of the flower on the long style. The pollen-bearing male stamens (3) are lower down ion the flower tube.
 
In the thrum flower (B) the situation is reversed.  When a long-tongued bee probes for the nectary at the base of the flower, pollen attaches at the top of the tongue in the thrum plant, and half way up in the pin.  This means that pollen collected from a thrum flower is perfectly placed to fertilise a pin flower, and vice versa, but not to fertilise a flower of the same type.
 
This is a clever out-breeding mechanism, reducing self-fertilisation and the genetic consequences of in-breeding.
 
Primrose was first formally recorded by William Turner in 15382. in his book of wild flowers, and has featured in literature from Shakespeare’s time. Local names3. include butter rose in Devon, first rose in Caithness and Somerset and May-flooer in Shetland. Primrose was originally grown as a medicinal and culinary plant in monasteries and early gardens. It was used with other flowers in salads, and primrose tea has been used a sedative4. In the Highlands crofters used primrose pounded with butter to make a healing ointment.5.
 
A beautiful addition to any garden, primroses are best grown in a group in the front of a border, or in shady areas along hedge or fence margins, or around the base of trees with other spring flowers such as sweet violet Viola odorata. They can also be grown successfully in moist, peat-free compost, in window boxes and other containers. Primrose is easily propagated by seed in spring, for planting out in November or the following Spring. Alternatively, buy as nursery-grown plugs or potted plants. It’s advisable not to plant cultivated polyanthus close by as they are very likely to hybridise. 
 
Primrose is a valuable nectar plant for early flying pollinating insects such as bumblebees including  Bombus terrestris, the hairy-footed flower bee Anthophora plumipes, the bee-fly Bombylius major and early butterflies such as the brimstone butterfly Gonepteryx rhamni. It is the food plant of many moth larvae including the broad-bordered yellow underwing Noctua fimbriata, silver ground carpet moth Xanthorhoe montanata, the uncertain Hoplodrina octogenaria and Hebrew character Orthosia gothica.6.
 
    
Primrose was first formally recorded by William Turner in 15382. in his book of wild flowers, and has featured in literature from Shakespeare’s time. Local names3. include butter rose in Devon, first rose in Caithness and Somerset and May-flooer in Shetland. Primrose was originally grown as a medicinal and culinary plant in monasteries and early gardens. It was used with other flowers in salads, and primrose tea has been used a sedative.4 In the Highlands crofters used primrose pounded with butter to make a healing ointment.5.
 
A beautiful addition to any garden, primroses are best grown in a group in the front of a border, or in shady areas along hedge or fence margins, or around the base of trees with other spring flowers such as sweet violet Viola odorata. They can also be grown successfully in moist, peat-free compost, in window boxes and other containers. Primrose is easily propagated by seed in spring, for planting out In November or the following Spring. Alternatively, buy as nursery-grown plugs or potted plants. It’s advisable not to plant cultivated polyanthus close by as they are very likely to hybridise. 
 
Primrose is a valuable nectar plant for early flying pollinating insects such as bumblebees including  Bombus terrestris, the hairy-footed flower bee Anthophora plumipes, the bee-fly Bombylius major and early butterflies such as the brimstone butterfly Gonepteryx rhamni. It is the food plant of many moth larvae including the broad-bordered yellow underwing Noctua fimbriata, silver ground carpet moth Xanthorhoe montanata , the uncertain Hoplodrina octogenaria and Hebrew character Orthosia gothica.6.
 
References
 
1.Browne, J. 2003. Charles Darwin: The Power of Place. Pimlico. London.
For further information on Darwin’s observations on cross-fertilisation see: Thompson, K. 2018. – Darwin’s Botany Today. Profile Books. London.
 
2.Pearman, D. 2017. The Discovery of the Native Flora of Britain and Ireland, A compilation of the first records for 1670 species and aggregates, covering Great Britain, Ireland, The Channel Isles and the Isle of Man. Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland.p 325.
 
3.Vickery, R. 2019. Vickery’s Folk Flora, An A to Z of the Folklore and Uses of British and Irish Plants. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. London.p 562.
 
4.Hooper, M. 1984. Herbs and Medicinal Plants. Kingfisher Books. London. p 94                                                                              
5.Stewart, K. 1980. Crofts and crofting. Reprint 1996. Mercat Press. Edinburgh.
 
6.See the Biological Record Centre database     
                                                                                                                                                   
 
Page written by Caroline Ware.  Compiled by Steve Head      
 
Primrose was first formally recorded by William Turner in 15382. in his book of wild flowers, and has featured in literature from Shakespeare’s time. Local names3. include butter rose in Devon, first rose in Caithness and Somerset and May-flooer in Shetland. Primrose was originally grown as a medicinal and culinary plant in monasteries and early gardens. It was used with other flowers in salads, and primrose tea has been used a sedative4. In the Highlands crofters used primrose pounded with butter to make a healing ointment.5.
 
A beautiful addition to any garden, primroses are best grown in a group in the front of a border, or in shady areas along hedge or fence margins, or around the base of trees with other spring flowers such as sweet violet Viola odorata. They can also be grown successfully in moist, peat-free compost, in window boxes and other containers. Primrose is easily propagated by seed in spring, for planting out in November or the following Spring. Alternatively, buy as nursery-grown plugs or potted plants. It’s advisable not to plant cultivated polyanthus close by as they are very likely to hybridise. 
 
Primrose is a valuable nectar plant for early flying pollinating insects such as bumblebees including  Bombus terrestris, the hairy-footed flower bee Anthophora plumipes, the bee-fly Bombylius major and early butterflies such as the brimstone butterfly Gonepteryx rhamni. It is the food plant of many moth larvae including the broad-bordered yellow underwing Noctua fimbriata, silver ground carpet moth Xanthorhoe montanata, the uncertain Hoplodrina octogenaria and Hebrew character Orthosia gothica.6.
 
 
References
 
1.Browne, J. 2003. Charles Darwin: The Power of Place. Pimlico. London.
For further information on Darwin’s observations on cross-fertilisation see: Thompson, K. 2018. – Darwin’s Botany Today. Profile Books. London.
 
2.Pearman, D. 2017. The Discovery of the Native Flora of Britain and Ireland, A compilation of the first records for 1670 species and aggregates, covering Great Britain, Ireland, The Channel Isles and the Isle of Man. Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland.p 325.
 
3.Vickery, R. 2019. Vickery’s Folk Flora, An A to Z of the Folklore and Uses of British and Irish Plants. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. London.p 562.
 
4.Hooper, M. 1984. Herbs and Medicinal Plants. Kingfisher Books. London. p 94                                                                              
5.Stewart, K. 1980. Crofts and crofting. Reprint 1996. Mercat Press. Edinburgh.
 
6.See the Biological Record Centre database     
                                                                                                                                                   
 
Page written by Caroline Ware.  Compiled by Steve Head      
 
Male hairy-footed flower bee Anthophora plumipes on a primrose flower. The female is much darker in colour
 
Male hairy-footed flower bee Anthophora plumipes on a primrose flower. The female is much darker in colour
 
References
 
1.Browne, J. 2003. Charles Darwin: The Power of Place. Pimlico. London.
For further information on Darwin’s observations on cross-fertilisation see: Thompson, K. 2018. – Darwin’s Botany Today. Profile Books. London.
 
2.Pearman, D. 2017. The Discovery of the Native Flora of Britain and Ireland, A compilation of the first records for 1670 species and aggregates, covering Great Britain, Ireland, The Channel Isles and the Isle of Man. Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland.p 325.
 
3.Vickery, R. 2019. Vickery’s Folk Flora, An A to Z of the Folklore and Uses of British and Irish Plants. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. London.p 562.
 
4.Hooper, M. 1984. Herbs and Medicinal Plants. Kingfisher Books. London. p 94                                                                              
5.Stewart, K. 1980. Crofts and crofting. Reprint 1996. Mercat Press. Edinburgh.
 
6.See the Biological Record Centre database     
                                                                                                                                                   
 
Page written by Caroline Ware.  Compiled by Steve Head      
 
           Garden Wildplants
        Garden Wildplants