P R I M U L A vulgaris.
Common Primrofe.
P E N T A N D R I A Monogynia.
G en. Char. Capjule i-celled, fuperior. ‘Tube of the
corolla cylindrical, mouth pervious. Stigma glo-
bofe.
Spec. C har. Leaves dentated, wrinkled. Border of the
corolla flat.
Syn . Primula vulgaris. Hudf. FI. An. 83.
P. acaulis. With. Bot. Arr. 204.
P. veris var. y. Linn. Sp. PI. 205. FI. Dan. t. 194.
P. veris vulgaris. Rail Syn. 284.
JL / IN N iEU S , ever defirous of avoiding too great a multiplication
of fpecies, confidered the Primrofe, Oxlip and Cowflip,
as varieties only of each other; but moft botanifts have differed
from him in this particular. Some have gone fo far as to reckon
them three diftinct fpecies. It feems however moft agreeable to
nature to confider the firft and laft as diftindt, though much
more nearly akin than an inexperienced obferver would fuppofe,
and the rim of the corolla being concave in one and flat in the
other, is a fufficiently good fpecific character.
The Oxlip (P. veris 0 of Linn. FI. Dan. t. 434.), if not an
hybrid produ&ion between the other two, may perhaps w.ith the
greateft propriety be reckoned a variety of the Primrofe, from
which it principally differs in having an elongated common
foot-ftalk, like the Cowflip; whereas the common foot-ftalk
of the Primrofe is fo Ihort as to be concealed among the
leaves, as Linnseus and Dr. Stokes have obferved. This plant
is found every where in woods, thickets, and paftures, flowering
in April and May. Its bloffoms have an agreeable fragrance.
K The Primrofe pale and Violet blue,” being the chief ornaments
of a feafon which every paftoral poet delights to celebrate,
have been more frequently honoured in verfe than moft
other wild flowers.