Primula pulverulenta

Primula pulverulenta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Primulaceae
Genus: Primula
Species:
P. pulverulenta
Binomial name
Primula pulverulenta
Synonyms[1]
  • Aleuritia pulverulenta (Duthie) Soják
  • Primula japonica f. robusta Hemsl.
  • Primula shihmienensis W.P.Fang

Primula pulverulenta, the mealy primrose[2] or mealy cowslip,[3] is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae.[1][4] It is native to damp habitats in China. It is a herbaceous perennial growing to 100 cm (39 in) tall by 60 cm (24 in) broad, with strong stems of deep pink flowers arising from basal rosettes of leaves in early summer. The flowers are grouped at intervals along the stem in a tiered formation,[5] hence the common name "candelabra primula" which is often applied to this and other species with a similar arrangement.

The leaves are obovate to oblanceolate, measuring 10 - 30 cm long and 8 - 10 cm wide. They have a rugged, dentate appearance, narrowing towards the petiole[6]

The specific epithet pulverulenta, meaning "dust", refers to the mealy white layer (farina) covering the stems of the plant.[7]

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2][8] In cultivation it requires a neutral or acid soil which remains permanently moist, such as the bank of a stream or pond, in full or partial sunlight.[2]

  1. ^ a b "Primula pulverulenta Duthie". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "RHS Plant Selector - Primula pulverulenta". Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  3. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  4. ^ "Primula pulverulenta Duthie". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  5. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  6. ^ Poland J, Clement EJ. 2020. The Vegetative Key to the British Flora. John Poland, Southampton.ISBN 978-0-9560-1442-9
  7. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  8. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 81. Retrieved 14 May 2018.