Interesting facts about primroses

primroses

Primroses are flowering plants of the genus Primula of the family Primulaceae.

There are about 500 to 600 species of primroses.

Primroses chiefly occurring in the Northern Hemisphere in cool or mountainous regions.

Most are perennial though some species are annuals.

Most species grow 25 to 50 centimeters (10 to 20 inches) tall, but some are as short as 5 centimeters (2 inches) and others as tall as 1.2 meters (4 feet).

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Primroses are mostly herbaceous, having no woody stem.

The stalked leaves may be long and narrow or roundish and are crowded together. On the lower side the midrib is often prominent.

The stalked flowers may be solitary, as in the common primrose (P. vulgaris), or more usually borne in loose umbels. The flowers have five petals and may be red, pink, purple, blue, white, or yellow. Some species and varieties also bear bi-colored flowers.

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Many species are cultivated for their attractive flowers.

The fruit of a primrose begins as an ovary and inside it are the future seeds.

The main meanings of primrose flower are:
• Youth
• Love
• Birth
• Femininity

As primrose flower blooms in the early spring, they represent youth, new beginnings, new life, or birth. As women bring new lives to this world, primrose flower also stands for women and their beauty.

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The flowers of some primroses, especially Primula vulgaris, are edible. They can be eaten raw in salads or as an edible garnish. It’s taste mostly reminds you of lettuce.

When ingested, primrose can cause animals some medical problems. It’s a poisonous plant but only to animals.

In traditional herbal medicine, cowslip wine, made from Primula veris, was used as a sedative.

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Primrose flowers have long been favored by poets and writers.

It is the second favorite flower in Britain (behind bluebells).

The scientific name “Primula” is a diminutive of the Latin primus, “prime”, alluding to the fact that this flower is among the first to appear in spring.

The primrose family is not related to the evening primrose family.